Leeds' Merrion Centre records increase in footfall amid 'rise' in discount stores

The Merrion Centre has reported continued growth in the first half of 2017, with footfall rising by almost 4% in May and June alone.

Leeds’ longest-established shopping centre attributes this success to its strategy to offer a “wide and varied mix” of value, discount and mainstream shops, restaurants and leisure outlets

In the last 12 months, the Merrion Centre has welcomed Heron Foods as a grocery discounter, as well as Marco Pierre White’s New York Italian restaurant and bar as a luxury food offering alongside the newly opened Ibis Styles Hotel.

As for 2017, the centre has already opened five new stores and refurbished existing restaurant, My Thai.

Last month Kantar Worldpanel, reported that consumers were returning to discounters and looking for more value deals in the face of economic uncertainty. The Merrion Centre is home to a number of discounters and value retailers, including The Works, Poundworld and Home Bargains, which will be a factor in the increase in footfall.

James Broughton, head of marketing and PR at Town Centre Securities, owners of the Merrion Centre, commented: “We’re delighted to see our growth continuing and footfall figures increasing.

“We’ve noticed a shift in shopper expectations when it comes to value, and we know that people aren’t just visiting one store when doing their weekly shop. At the Merrion Centre we have a vibrant and varied mix of shops that attract a very unique demographic.

“We are finding that people will visit Heron Foods, Poundworld and Home Bargains along with Morrisons for their weekly shop but then we ensure they have other options when they’re looking to treat themselves.

“The rise of value stores moving to city centre locations has meant the Merrion has been able to offer great value whilst also giving people the option to experience higher-end stores all in one location.”

The centre has also benefited from its proximity to the arena and recently introduced its first street food festival, StrEAT.

Helen Green, associate director at Town Centre Securities, added: “We’re incredibly excited for the next phase of investments at the Centre with more announcements coming in the second half of the year.

“We have just welcomed the renowned Jumbo Records back to the mall, renewed our contract to be the home of the only Leeds United shop in the city centre and also introduced new business units at the south end of the centre to further enhance our retail offering. There’s never been a better time to visit the Merrion Centre!”

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