Five retailers invest £6m in store improvements at the transformed Meadowhall

Five major retail brands have made multi-million pound investments in new stores improvements at Meadowhall.

River Island, Ted Baker, Footasylum, Primark and Molton Brown have invested a combined £6m in enhancing the design and function of their stores at the Sheffield shopping centre.

This announcement follows on from the £60m transformation of the centre, which triggered occupiers to commit a total £40m in redesigning and refitting their stores to fit the new contemporary look.

Upsizing to 24,000 sq ft, River Island has launched a new format at Meadowhall that will be rolled out across all new stores. The brand’s Meadowhall flagship features an extended mezzanine level, triple-bay entrance and enhanced LED lighting, as well as a double height fascia.

Ted Baker has designed a bespoke record shop-themed store to celebrate Sheffield’s music heritage.

Primark features a 21,000 sq ft ground floor extension with works to the existing store front, new and improved signage, and relocated cash desk area in response to shopper footfall habits. Primark’s new store totals 95,500 sq ft

Josie Cartridge, customer director at River Island, said: “Our new store at Meadowhall includes a variety of brand new design features and is going to be the template for how we format our stores moving forward. We’re thrilled to now fully re-open and welcome people to our enhanced store concept.”

Richard Crowther, asset manager for British Land, joint owners of Meadowhall, added: “Stores remain an integral part of omni-channel retail. Our transformation in Meadowhall, and the investment by retailers, has provided high-quality retail space aligned to the way people want to shop.

“We’re delighted by this new wave of openings, which give people even more reason to visit Meadowhall.”

The refurbishment has attracted a plethora of new brands, including Mercedes which launched a 6,200 sq. ft. experiential store and Australian retailer House, which has recently signed for a 3,051 sq ft unit located on the High Street.

Other new brands to join the lineup included Joe Browns, Michael Kors, Flannels, Urban Decay, Skinny Dip, Tag Heuer, iSmash, Diesel, Joules, Jack Wills, Neal’s Yard, Nespresso, T2, schuh Kids, Pret a Manger, GBK and Barburrito.