Page 7 - #184 September 2023

NEWS INBRIEF

TWO BRANDS FIND NEW HOMES
SHOW-STOPPING NEW M&S STORE Popular food franchises, Wingstop and Bagel Factory,
are to open outlets at Hammerson’s Westquay
OPENS AT LIVERPOOL ONE shopping centre in Southampton. Wingstop has
signed a 15-year lease for a 3,730sq ft unit whilst
After a long wait, Marks & Spencer has Bagel Factory has taken a 770sq ft unit for a 10-
officially opened its latest new store on year term and joins a line-up of F&B offerings that
Liverpool ONE’s South John Sreet. includes Tap and Tandoor and The Real Greek.
The new store covers 70,000sq ft of
trading space and offers local shoppers STICKY MANGO SET TO EXPAND
a fresh market-style Foodhall, stylish and Cain International, the privately held investment
spacious new Clothing, Home & Beauty firm, has agreed a letting to contemporary South-
departments and the first-ever, new-look East Asian concept Sticky Mango at its mixed-use
M&S Coffee Shop. destination, Islington Square. Due to open this
Following a significant investment in the month, the 2,219sq ft site will become Sticky
city’s local economy, the new M&S Liverpool Mango’s third site and it will be located next
ONE store is part of the retailer’s plans to to Megan’s.
invest around £480M in its store rotation
programme, creating more than 3,400 jobs
across the nation. EXPERIENTIAL UNIT LAUNCHES
Along with the existing M&S Liverpool Affirming its commitment to Festival Place with a
team of 250 colleagues who have transferred significant refurbishment, The Perfume Shop, one
to work in the new store, the retailer has of the UK’s largest specialty fragrance retailers and
welcomed over 70 new recruits. home to nearly 130 brands, has unveiled a new
GRAVITY MAX UNVEILS ENHANCED experiential store featuring a brand-new layout
and upgraded services while delivering stronger
FLAGSHIP IN LIVERPOOL ONE sustainability credentials.

Gravity Active Entertainment, the fast- four hours, the destination showcases a MOJO OPENS LIVERPOOL DOORS
growing leisure and entertainment company, dynamic and exhilarating mix of competitive Grosvenor has revealed that Liverpool ONE is
has launched its new flagship Gravity socialising, live entertainment, sport home to MOJO, the rock n’ roll Americana-style
MAX at Liverpool ONE. Gravity’s biggest screenings, as well as a comprehensive F&B cocktail bar. Relocating from within the city centre,
investment to date and its largest site, the offer, comprising four bars and a food hall. MOJO has opened on Liverpool ONE’s Hanover
£10M destination showcases 100,000sq ft Highlights include a multi-level e-karting Street, marking a large upsize from its previous Back
of the brand’s newest and most enhanced track, augmented reality (AR) bowling, Berry Street home. The 3,500sq ft space join seven
active experience concept, Gravity MAX. 18-hole Tech Streeet Golf, Hologate VR, other locations from across the north of England.
A market changer, the Liverpool ONE Immersive Gamebox, esports arena, batting
site takes Gravity MAX to a new level, cages and Liverpool’s largest pool hall.
introducing the brand’s first-ever outside Michael Harrison, Co-Founder and Chief POPEYES TO OPEN IN BARNSLEY
space and the city’s largest roof terrace, Growth Officer at Gravity, commented: The company has announced that its new Barnsley
as well as more activities than any other “The opening of the new Gravity MAX Drive-Thru restaurant will open on 29 September.
Gravity venue. flagship at Liverpool ONE is an extremely The all-new American fried chicken restaurant will
Gravity MAX Liverpool ONE is expected exciting time for the brand, as it represents be located at The Peel Centre in Barnsley and will
to attract over 700,000 visitors a year, a landmark moment in our journey. This mark the brand’s 11th opening in 2023, and its 30th
providing 12 immersive and experiential has been our biggest investment to date location in total since landing in the UK back in
activities for up to 2,500 people at any given and cements Gravity’s position as market November 2021.
time across its two floors. leaders and trendsetters within the leisure
With an anticipated dwell time of over and entertainment sector.

SEPTEMBER 2023 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL 07