Metro Retail Park fully let as regional debut for NCF Living completes 25,000 sq ft of new additions
Sovereign Centros from CBRE has announced that Metro Retail Park, the North East’s leading destination for homewares and furniture, is now fully let, following the opening of NCF Living, the retailer specialising in sofas, dining, and beds. Metro Retail Park benefits from its adjacency to Metrocentre, one of the top five super regional malls in the UK and number one destination in the North East.
The new NCF Living store, a first for the brand in the North East, has been designed to showcase a range of contemporary and classic British-made furniture. This includes living room staples like plush sofas and lounge chairs, comfortable mattresses, bedroom furnishings, elegant dining sets for gatherings, and versatile occasional furniture and accessories.
NCF Living has taken one of the three units created by the redevelopment of the former Toys R Us, following significant landlord investment. The other two are occupied by Dreams and Designer Sofas, resulting in all of the newly created 25,000 sq ft of space being let.
Dreams, the specialist bed retailer, opened its two-storey store late last year, designed to maximise customers’ in-store experience, featuring top mattress brands including Tempur, Sealy, and the exclusive TheraPur and The Dream Team range. The store has also been fitted with Dreams' state-of-the-art Sleepmatch machine, helping customers find their perfect mattress in just 3 minutes.
Designer Sofas has launched a 7,500 sq ft unit focused on Italian luxury and contemporary sofas, that are bespoke and affordable. The space showcases unique products that have been designed with comfort and style in mind.
The completion of lettings follows recent investment in Metro Retail Park, which saw a newly designed, contemporary terrace, car park resurfacing, and updated landscaping. Metro Retail Park has also had six EV chargers installed by Ionity with plans to increase to twelve 350kW fast electric vehicle chargers by the end of the year.
Ben Cox, Director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, commented: “Having NCF Living open at Metro Retail Park completes the letting there, and marks a great milestone for the destination. The plan to create three new retail warehouse spaces was a carefully considered response to the challenge of Toys R Us closing. Having these taken by three leading furniture brands both justifies that decision, and keeps Metro Retail Park’s status as the go-to location for homewares in the North East.”
A spokesperson at NCF Living added: “We are delighted to have opened a store at Metro Retail Park, to offer customers a range of furniture without compromising on quality and style. We will be providing customers access to acquire furniture promptly and at the most competitive prices.”
This follows the recent announcement that Metrocentre has signed leading outdoor clothing and equipment retailer, GO Outdoors, which will open its first store in the region within a shopping centre environment. Presenting as a GO Outdoors Express, the store will stock a variety of brands such as Rab, OEX, and Berghaus, as well as the likes of Peter Storm, HiGear, and North Ridge.