Sosandar signs for third store at Gateshead’s Metrocentre

Womenswear brand Sosandar has signed for a 2,047 sq ft store at the Metrocentre in Gateshead, near Newcastle, set to open this October.

The announcement follows last month’s news that Sosandar will be opening its first two stores in Marlow and Chelsmford – described as "top tier" locations – in September.

Other prospective stores are at a "late stage of negotiation", with a wider set of store locations identified for roll-out over the medium term.

The new Metrocentre store will sit alongside other notable womenswear brands in the upper Platinum Mall, such as Phase Eight and Hobbs, and will stock the brand’s latest AW24 collection.

Ali Hall and Julie Lavington, Co-CEOs at Sosandar, said: "We are pleased to announce the third location for our Sosandar stores. We have a strict criteria of opening stores in top tier, thriving locations where Sosandar customers over-index, and Metrocentre ticks all these boxes.

"Metrocentre has a reputation for hosting a versatile range of fashion retailers and we look forward to the official opening of our store in the coming months."

Ben Cox, Director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE,  Asset Managers of Metrocentre, added: "Sosandar’s arrival at Metrocentre for one of their first physical stores, and first in the region, is fantastic news and reflective of the destination’s dominance in the North East and strength in the UK as a whole.

"We are dedicated to delivering highly sought after brands that will appeal to our loyal customer base. Sosandar is just that, and a natural fit within our Platinum Mall, and we look forward to seeing their store open in the autumn."

The Sosandar signing follows the news that Mango is set to join Metrocentre’s Lower Red Mall later this year, a 6,233 sq ft space which will be the brand’s largest store in the North East. That will be located adjacent to Jo Malone London and a stone’s throw from other Lower Red Mall favourites, ZARA, H&M and Flannels.

Yesterday, 19 August, the BBC reported that the Metrocentre Partnership, the company that runs the centre, says it hopes to spend £6 million redeveloping part of the site – including submitting a planning application to Gateshead Council for a revamp of the Green Mall entrance.

The plans include the creation of three new restaurants across 18,000 sq ft and space for people to sit outside.

Martin Healy, Chairman of Metrocentre, described the plans as "a crucial step in our ongoing commitment to drive the revitalisation of the site",

The Green Mall car park already includes 50 charging points for electric vehicles, further adding to its visitor appeal.