The two Frasers Group brands are preparing to open new flagship stores at Gateshead’s Metrocentre.
Both of the stores will be housed in a former Debenhams unit in the centre’s Red Mall. Flannels will open a 70,000sq ft on the ground floor of the unit, whilst Sports Direct will take 60,000sq ft of space on the first floor.
The move marks a major upsize for Flannels at Metrocentre as it currently occupies a 5,000sq ft unit on the Upper Red Mall. Meanwhile, Sports Direct operates a retail warehouse in Gateshead which will close down when the retailer moves to Metrocentre.
The negotiations for the Metrocentre Partnership were led by its asset manager, Sovereign Centros.
Graeme Jones, Director, Sovereign Centros, said: “These lettings will create a new destination point for the centre’s Red Mall. The store sits on one of the main entrances to the centre and therefore important from a visual presentation perspective. The transaction completes a major element of our business plan leasing up surplus former department store space.”
