Touchwood in Solihull has further extended its sports and fitness retail offering with the arrival of women’s activewear brand Sweaty Betty. The new store represents the brand’s first presence in the West Midlands, having secured a 2,283 sq ft unit on a five-year lease.
Fronting onto Solihull High Street, the newly opened Sweaty Betty store adds to the growing line-up of fashion and lifestyle brands at Touchwood, which has positioned itself as a leading retail and leisure destination in the region. The move follows a series of expansions and new lettings that include the likes of Apple – which recently tripled its footprint at the scheme – as well as John Lewis, Zara, Mango, Rituals, Miele, Oliver Bonas and a new Space NK outlet.
Touchwood has been undergoing a strategy of tenant mix diversification since its acquisition in 2021 by The Ardent Companies. In partnership with asset manager Sovereign Centros from CBRE, Ardent has sought to bring in a broader range of retail, dining and leisure operators to attract a wider customer base to the centre.
Commenting on the new signing, Joe Swindells, Asset Management & Development Director for Ardent, said: “Sweaty Betty is indicative of the aspirational brands we have worked hard to bring to Touchwood, and its arrival at the scheme – for its first store in the West Midlands – represents yet another fantastic addition to what we can offer visitors.”
Touchwood continues to strengthen its position as a key destination for high street and premium brands in the West Midlands, with the introduction of fitness-focused retail reflecting a broader consumer trend towards health and wellness. The addition of Sweaty Betty is expected to complement the centre’s existing retail mix and enhance the High Street frontage of the scheme.
Asset management of the centre is overseen by Sovereign Centros from CBRE, with leasing led by Cushman & Wakefield and Knight Frank as the retained agents.
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