Frasers Group has opened a multi-fascia store featuring its Flannels, Sports Direct and Everlast Gyms brands in the former Debenhams unit at Metrocentre, Gateshead.
The upsized 50,000 sq ft Flannels store will feature the brand’s first ever Home section in a regional mall and will sit alongside a 50,000 sq ft Sports Direct store and a 37,000 sq ft Everest Gym.
Ger Wright, managing director sport at Frasers Group, said: “We are bringing the ultimate fitness destinations to Metrocentre with the opening of Sports Direct and our Everlast Gyms flagship. These openings demonstrate our dedication to expanding and investing into our store portfolio, as we bring the best sports and leisure brands, environments and experiences to key retail destinations across the UK and internationally.
“As the leading destination for sportswear in the UK, and with the support from our major global brand partners, we continue to expand our retail portfolio on our journey to becoming the number one sports retailer in EMEA.”
Ben Cox of Sovereign Centros, asset manager of Metrocentre, added: “The addition of flagship stores for Flannels, Sports Direct and Everlast Gyms into the former Debenhams department store represents a major milestone in the centre’s asset strategy. The striking new shopfits and level of investment from the Frasers Group demonstrates the strength of the centre and its appeal as a leading shopping destination.
“Metrocentre is constantly evolving and so far this year we have welcomed 14 new brands and worked with 11 existing brands to refurbish/upsize their units, giving our shoppers over 310,000 sq ft of the best retail and leisure concepts.”
