Stoke-on-Trent’s leading shopping centre, intu Potteries, has signed fashion footwear brand
schuh to take its first standalone store in the city. The deal comes only weeks after intu
announced that crystal retailer Swarovski was also to open its first Stoke-on-Trent store at
intu Potteries and after a number of high profile fashion names signalled their commitment to
the centre with lease renewals across brands such as Monsoon Accessorize, River Island
and Arcadia.
schuh will open a 4,900 sq ft store on the middle mall between Topshop (which has recently
completed a major refit at the centre) and Miss Selfridge – both of whom recently signed
lease renewals on their stores. The debut of schuh’s first standalone store follows successful
trading in its Republic concession within intu Potteries and is a further illustration of retailer
confidence in both the scheme and the city.
schuh will open later this summer in a unit vacated by Dorothy Perkins, which is relocating to
a dual fascia store with fellow Arcadia stablemate Burton, in line with Arcadia’s previously
announced strategy of rightsizing units across the UK.
Martin Breeden, asset management director at intu, said: “schuh is yet another example of a
great brand name that has recognised the importance of Stoke-on-Trent’s 1.1m catchment
and intu Potteries’ prime position within that market. This latest deal follows a number of new
and existing retailers showing their faith in intu Potteries as we continue to build on our
development plans for the region.”
Intu’s £14 million development plans enhance the catering and leisure mix at intu Potteries
with the project expected to begin shortly. The 58,000 sq ft scheme will include a multiplex
cinema, five restaurants and a pedestrian boulevard at the centre.
Phil Whittle, head of store operations at schuh, said: “Following the successful trading of our
concession within Republic at intu Potteries, taking our own standalone store within the
centre was an obvious next step for us.”
Intu Potteries is advised by Lunson Mitchenall and Tushingham Moore. schuh represented
itself.
