Merry Hill is celebrating a landmark year of growth, with 49 brands either opening, signing, or reinvesting in the destination. Footfall was also up, increasing by 3.9 percent in the last 12 months, mirrored by an increase in sales of 4 percent, ahead of a busy Christmas season.
Of the 49 deals, 26 were new entrants. Taking a combined 295,500 sq ft, this included major flagship openings such as the national debuts of fitness operator XF Gym and the much-anticipated Harvey Norman. The signings represent a record £30m of new investment in Merry Hill throughout the year, and the culmination of a major repositioning of the destination to incorporate new and exciting uses, recognised by a Revo’s Gold award for the best Repurposing and Placemaking Project in the UK.
After undergoing significant evolution in 2024, the centre offers a strategically curated balance of world-class and innovative concepts that are tailored to the needs of its visitors, underscoring its long-term relevance in the sector.
Merry Hill also welcomed reinvestment from 23 of its tenants, covering 185,300 sq ft, including significant refurbishments from established brands such as Footasylum, Waterstones, Pandora, and Boots. The series of reinvestment highlights Merry Hill’s ability to retain and nurture its existing brands, while also attracting back tenants that had previously exited, reinforcing the centre’s strong and enduring appeal.
Graeme Jones, Executive Director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, on behalf of Merry Hill, commented:“2024 has been an extraordinary year for Merry Hill, marked by record-breaking investment, flagship openings, a host of tenant recommitments and the national recognition of operational excellence. With over £30 million invested this year and 49 deals delivered, there is significant momentum as we head into 2025. Merry Hill’s ability to attract, support and showcase leading brands whilst delivering an exceptional visitor experience reaffirms its place among the UK’s elite retail and leisure destinations.”
This year’s achievements exemplify Merry Hill’s transformation, with £110m invested over the last three years solidifying its position as a destination of choice in the UK for best-in-class brands.
In 2024 Merry Hill also further cemented its role as a vibrant community hub and multifunctional destination, working to relocate local operators The Black Country Hub and Black Country Radio to more prominent spots within the centre. Other community-focused brands like NatWest, Virgin Holidays and Supercuts also moved in the destination, and a deal is being finalised for the relocation of the NHS Blood Unit, which is set to almost double its capacity, providing vital healthcare access to an additional 90,000 visitors annually. In addition to this, Merry Hill has been awarded a BREEAM In-Use ‘Very Good’ accreditation for both Asset and Management Performance, highlighting its ESG achievements and placing it among a select group of leading retail destinations driving long-term sustainability.
JLL, Time Retail Partners, and Font Real Estate represent Merry Hill.
