Boost for local SMEs as retail rental-space startup expands to North East

Gateshead’s Metrocentre is now the new home to a more modern shopping and retail experience.

Startup Sook has been allocated a space in the Metrocentre. Sook rents the space on a “bi-hourly” model allowing multiple businesses to use the space over 24 hours.

The lot is equipped with digital displays which can be used to project images as well as modular furniture for quick assembly and arrangement.

Prospective renters are told they can “use the Metrocentre site in whatever way they choose” in the hope of giving a much wider range of businesses a chance to take up retail space in the centre.

John Hoyle, CEO of Sook, said: “I believe that retail needs to be flexible and work around the needs of each individual business. It needs a sustainable model which lets companies run the business at bespoke times to maximise profitability.

“Metrocentre hosts a fantastic array of shops, restaurants and leisure attractions and we’re delighted to be opening our fifth space alongside them. We have an exciting pipeline of openings coming up and look forward to helping businesses change the way communities are engaging with their stores.”

Tom Nuttall of Sovereign Centros, leasing & asset manager for Metrocentre, commented: “The world of retail is constantly evolving and this innovative new concept from Sook will provide opportunities to a range of businesses to use the centre as a testbed for their products and services.

“It will provide retailers with an opportunity to showcase their products to a new audience and the digital screens and inventive store layout will provide a state of the art backdrop to a range of occupiers.”

The site opened on Monday September 13 and is located in the Metrocentre’s Upper Red Mall.

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