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

Footasylum has significantly bolstered its presence in Manchester, cementing a long-term commitment to the city through a substantial lease renewal at Manchester Arndale. The major sports footwear and apparel retailer has signed a new 20-year lease, an agreement that is described as solidifying its dedication to the North West’s leading retail destination.

The renewed commitment involves Footasylum upsizing its current footprint to an expanded 17,000 sq ft space. This larger area will facilitate the creation of a newly refitted flagship store, specifically designed to elevate the customer experience and comprehensively showcase the brand’s entire product offering. This strategic enhancement aims to provide shoppers with a more immersive and engaging retail environment.

This strategic move by Footasylum further underscores Manchester Arndale's status as a premier shopping hub. Steve Gray, Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, the centre operator, highlighted that this renewal, alongside the recent arrivals of brands like Arc’teryx, Alo Yoga, and ProDirect, is a testament to the centre's strength and its ability to attract and retain leading retail brands. With an impressive 46 million visitors in 2024, Manchester Arndale continues to serve as a magnet for shoppers, offering a dynamic mix of top brands across fashion and beauty.

The Manchester expansion aligns with Footasylum’s broader strategy of store upgrades and expansions across the UK. The brand recently returned to Glasgow’s Silverburn last month, unveiling a larger 9,585 sq ft two-storey unit. Furthermore, Footasylum has relocated into upsized units in other key destinations, including a triple-the-size unit at West Midland’s Merryhill, Metrocentre Gateshead, and Lakeside in Essex. The retailer has also successfully opened flagship stores on London’s Oxford Street and at the Birmingham Bullring, demonstrating a consistent drive for growth and enhanced retail presence.

The retailer's aggressive expansion and upgrade strategy appears to be paying off, as evidenced by its recent financial performance. In July, Footasylum released its FY25 results, reporting a strong rise in both sales and profit. The company also indicated that the initial months of the current trading year have continued to exceed expectations, pointing to a robust and positive outlook for the future.