The Cotswolds Designer Outlet has had a soft opening, with the 136K SF retail-led scheme delivered by developer and investor Robert Hitchins and specialist retail and leisure manager Multi-Realm.

Despite renewed interest in the retail property sector, the 52-store outlet is the only major retail development set to open in the UK this year and is located just off Junction 9 of the M5, close to Tewkesbury and roughly equidistant from Bristol and Birmingham.

Following the leasing of Phase 1, the developer said plans for Phase 2 of the scheme will see the designer outlet extended by circa 50K SF and around 90 stores.

The scheme is 98% let to tenants including Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Reiss, Boss, Guess, Crew, Ben Sherman, Levi’s, The North Face, Under Armour, Sweaty Betty, Puma, Adidas, Rituals, The Perfume Shop, Lindt, Marks & Spencer, Tefal and ProCook.

Eateries include Five Guys, Pret a Manger, 200 Degrees, Zizzi, Wagamama and Caffè Nero, while regional operators include the local independent Knead Bakery and The Patisserie Box.

Occupying a position at the entrance to the Cotswolds Designer Outlet site is a Dobbies Garden Centre that includes a soft play area and a 10K SF restaurant, also developed and owned by Robert Hitchins.

New outlet centre development in Europe all but stalled in 2024, but this year, along with Costwolds Designer Outlet, a new centre has opened in Krakow, Poland, and another is due to open in Tbilisi, Georgia, plus extensions to Porto Fashion Outlet in Portugal and McArthurGlen’s Troyes, France, site in 2026. Also in 2026, McArthurGlen will add a new phase to its West Midlands outlet.