Sovereign Centros, a prominent entity in UK’s retail sector, recently announced the opening of larger stores for Phase Eight and Hobbs at Merry Hill, regarded as one of the UK’s principal retail and leisure destinations. The sister brands, known for their premium womenswear, have merged their operations into a consolidated 6,000 square foot area on the Upper Mall, indicating a renewed commitment to Merry Hill.
The expanded stores for Phase Eight and Hobbs boast a larger retail space, accommodating an extensive collection of women’s apparel. Phase Eight is known for its elegant styles suitable for various occasions, while Hobbs offers a range of luxury fashion items, including accessories and footwear. The new store design aims to enhance the shopping experience with a fresh, light interior, wooden accents, and well-lit, accessible display areas.
Commenting on this development, Alistair Winning, Asset Manager at Sovereign Centros, stated, “Over the last year we’ve seen many of our tenants, like Phase Eight and Hobbs, upsize and recommit at Merry Hill. This is a clear recognition of Merry Hill’s position as a key West Midlands destination, with leading retailers seeing a longer term future here. We’re so pleased to see Phase Eight and Hobbs launch their new, bigger store, complementing our diverse, high-quality fashion retail portfolio.”
Caraline Money, Global Group Retail Director at TFG Brands, shared her enthusiasm for the new venture: “Merry Hill has been a great home for both Phase Eight and Hobbs, so the opening of this new upsized space is a hugely exciting moment for us. Having a larger space means we can expand our offer, welcome more customers, and hold even more styles and collections for a busy upcoming winter period – we are proud of the work that has gone into making this refreshed space a possibility.”
This expansion is part of a broader development at Merry Hill, which includes the recent announcement of XTRAFIT, a fitness operator, occupying a 40,000 square foot area in the former Debenhams store. The remaining 90,000 square feet of the store is reportedly under offer, promising a diverse and unique range of services and products for the customers of Merry Hill.
JLL and Time Retail Partners are the representatives for Merry Hill, playing a crucial role in its ongoing development and positioning as a significant retail and leisure hub in the West Midlands.
