Footasylum Commits to Manchester Arndale with 20-Year Lease Renewal and Expanded Flagship Store

Footasylum has made a substantial commitment to Manchester's retail future by signing a 20-year lease renewal at Manchester Arndale, cementing its position in the North West's premier shopping destination. This long-term agreement underscores the retailer's confidence in the Manchester market and represents a significant investment in the city's retail landscape.

Expanded Retail Presence

The lease renewal includes a substantial expansion of Footasylum's retail footprint within Manchester Arndale. The retailer will upsize to an extended 17,000 sq ft space, creating a newly refitted flagship store designed to enhance the customer experience and showcase the brand's full product offering. This expansion reflects Footasylum's strategic focus on providing comprehensive retail environments that fully represent their brand identity.

Strategic Importance of Manchester Arndale

Manchester Arndale continues to demonstrate its strength as a retail hub, attracting 46 million visitors in 2024 alone. According to Steve Gray, head of European Retail Asset Management at centre operator Global Mutual, Footasylum's commitment serves as "a testament to the strength of the centre and its ability to attract and retain leading retail brands." The shopping center remains a magnet for shoppers across Manchester and beyond, offering a dynamic mix of leading brands across fashion and beauty categories.

Broader Expansion Strategy

Footasylum's Manchester commitment aligns with the company's broader store upgrade and expansion strategy across the United Kingdom. The brand recently returned to Glasgow's Silverburn with a larger footprint, taking a 9,585 sq ft two-storey unit at the centre. Additional expansion initiatives include upsized units in key destinations such as West Midlands' Merryhill, Metrocentre Gateshead, and Lakeside in Essex, alongside flagship openings on London's Oxford Street and the Birmingham Bullring.

Financial Performance Context

The long-term lease commitment comes amid strong financial performance for Footasylum. The company's FY25 results showed a strong rise in both sales and profit, with the first months of the current trading year reportedly "ahead of expectations." This positive financial trajectory supports the company's aggressive retail expansion strategy and long-term commitments to key locations like Manchester Arndale.

Footasylum's 20-year lease renewal at Manchester Arndale represents a significant vote of confidence in both the brand's future and Manchester's position as a leading retail destination. The expanded flagship store will not only enhance the customer experience but also solidify Footasylum's presence in one of the UK's most important retail markets for decades to come.