Toy shop Hamleys is to open a new shop at intu Trafford shopping centre in Manchester.
Hamleys has taken a five-year lease on a 19,000 sq ft store. The first phase, which opens in November, comprises 16,500 sq ft and is the former JJB store on Peel Avenue, next to M&S and close to John Lewis, H&M and Boots.
The centre will be extended to incorporate Ann Summers’ existing 2,500 sq ft store in January. Ann Summers is relocating to 52 Peel Avenue adjacent to Hollister and opposite Superdry and Foot Asylum’s new store.
Hamleys opened its first store within the intu portfolio last year when it took 13,000 sq ft at St David’s in Cardiff, the centre jointly owned by intu and Land Securities.
Gudjon Reynisson, chief executive of Hamleys, said: “We have been looking for the next location to complement our UK growth strategy and believe intu Trafford Centre fits perfectly with our unique retail proposition of fun, theatre and entertainment.”
Julian Wilkinson, asset management director at intu, said: “Hamleys is a children’s toy paradise and a footfall driver in its own right. We have opened a host of family attractions in recent years including SEA LIFE, Aerial Extreme, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Namco Funscape entertainment zone and Paradise Island Adventure golf course.
Families combine shopping and dining at the centre with a ‘treat’ for the children and Hamleys adds another exciting dimension to a family day out.”
Cushman& Wakefield acted for intu; Jones Lang LaSalle acted for Hamleys.
annabel.dixon@estatesgazette.com
