Five new leasings join the lineup at The Moor Sheffield

The Moor Sheffield is set to welcome four new retailers, all of which are national chains, and a new gym concept.

The new roll call includes; Costa Coffee (2,000 sq/ft), Game (2,200 sq/ft), Specsavers (6.630 sq/ft), Ann Summers (4,000 sq/ft), and Sweat! Union Gym (17,000 sq/ft).

Phil Huby of Aberdeen Asset Management, owners of The Moor, said: “These new lettings demonstrate that The Moor is leading the march towards Sheffield city centre becoming the retail and leisure destination that this major city deserves.

“While we are focusing on specific phases of the scheme, we are investing across the wider estate which these new lettings demonstrate. We also have an increasing amount of interest from both retailers and restaurant groups and we expect to announce further lettings during the summer.’’

Damian Sumner, head of retail agency at JLL, commented: “Sheffield has an evolving demographic which means there is a lot of retail spend to be unleashed. The new Moor development will link together what have traditionally been disparate retail and leisure locations, playing a key part in the future development of the city.”

Launched in 2013, the new Moor Market has caused an increase in pedestrian flows and therefore high quality retail units are attracting newcomers to the city centre, including The Entertainer, Peacocks and Deichmann – all opening last year.

Phase 2 of the shopping destination will include an 80,000 sq ft city centre flagship store for Primark, due to open this Autumn and a 9 screen cinema from Light Cinemas opening Spring 2017.

In addition there will be seven restaurants, a kiosk and four further retail units. This new build is in a prime position adjacent to Debenhams and will provide a thoroughfare for retail and leisure, opening up The Moor, and providing a link to the proposed Sheffield Retail Quarter.

Aberdeen Asset Management is working closely with the city to integrate both developments.

Ann Summers, which will open in August this year, will be situated on the main street opposite the new Light cinema and Primark development.

Graham Seaton from Ann Summers said: “I look after the property portfolio for Ann Summers and have been looking at where we are represented throughout the UK.

“I have been watching Sheffield change and develop over recent years and have seen the positive changes on The Moor. With the new development that includes Primark it now represents a prime trading opportunity for us and other retailers. Sheffield has a large student population that is a significant target audience for us, and we can also see that the city centre is showing signs as a resurgent retail and leisure destination.”

Sweat! Union is a new gym concept spearheaded by CEO Frank Reed who was responsible for the Hilton LivingWell gyms and Virgin Active. It will be based in the Moor Market building above the existing retail units.

He stated: “We wanted to provide a new concept gym. Our price band is very affordable at a starting fee of £15.99 and is a world away from the budget gym ‘turnstile’ approach. Through my many years of overseeing gyms in the UK, I felt we needed a concept that was more in tune with the needs of today.

“First, our manned gyms aim to provide a friendly welcome as well as a fond farewell with our experienced team members on hand all day. Our design is light, bright and airy with exceptional hygiene standards. Group exercise classes provide a focus for our activities with two spacious studios offering dedicated classes and cycle. The current crop of budget gyms typically attract up to 70% male clientele. At Sweat! our gyms have over 50% women.

“Sheffield will be our second gym in the UK and by the end of 2017 we will have opened 10. The city centre and the Moor, in particular, provides a brilliant opportunity for us. It is a University town and has a vibrant and growing economy. I have spent a lot of time in Sheffield – I really like the city and I know it will love Sweat! Sweat! also holds social events in local bars and restaurants and we intend to do the same in Sheffield. We know people like to enjoy themselves as well as keep healthy and fit.”

Specsavers will be part of the new retail and leisure complex. It will move from its existing store in the city centre.