Magnetic Manchester Arndale welcomes Gilly Hicks, Clarks

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Oct 21, 2022

The memory of Topshop is fading at Manchester’s Arndale shopping centre. The mall’s operator has announced Gilly Hicks and Clarks will be moving into part of the fashion retailer’s former space, taking two newly-created units.

Becoming the brand’s first Manchester store, the Gilly Hicks unit will feature activewear, loungewear, and intimates, and also its recently expanded menswear and a gender-neutral collections.

Footwear brand Clarks will occupy a 3,551 sq ft unit on a 10-year lease and will be bringing its range spanning formal shoes, boots, sneakers and sandals to the centre. This will be Clarks’ only store in Manchester city centre and will be located in a prime position on New Cannon Street.

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In other positive news for the centre, a surge of new retailers has increased its occupant capacity to 95%. This includes youth fashion brand Hollister recommitting to its Manchester Arndale future, relocating to the former Disney Store unit.

These arrivals follow a flurry of other new lettings that include Pure Fashion, which recently committed to a 3,709 sq ft store on a five-year lease, Debenhams.com, Tommy Hilfiger, Pandora, Canada Goose, Kick Game, Carvela and Kurt Geiger with other retailers demonstrating their “confidence” in the scheme by renewing leases.

These include Swarovski committing its future to Manchester Arndale after agreeing a new lease, womenswear brand House of CB extending its lease for a further three years and fashion footwear specialist Office agreeing a new five-year deal.