Newcastle's Eldon Square set for major development, new mega store for Next and Sephora debut

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
March 13, 2024

Newcastle’s Eldon Square shopping destination and its city council have signed an enhanced co-operation agreement alongside “game-changing” planning submissions that are expected to deliver of a series of major new leasing deals.

And topping the list is an already confirmed new 61,000 sq ft Next department store opening in November while French beauty giant Sephora is also set to open a 6,600 sq ft store later this year.

And with experiences key to malls in the post-pandemic era, Eldon Square will also include over 200,000 sq ft of new leisure and entertainment opportunities serving the city centre.

“The agreement… [is] a great example of public and private sectors working together in agile ways to achieve faster growth and sustainable success”, they said, while noting the collaboration will also provide up to 500 new job opportunities.

Pete Cooper, Director at Eldon Square, added: “With these deals, Eldon Square consolidates its position as a Premier League player in Newcastle city centre and our flourishing partnership with Newcastle City Council enables us to progress our ambitious growth plans at speed. We are accelerating the centre’s performance, whilst helping to widen the city centre’s leisure and entertainment offering.”

Cooper added: “Next’s new store will significantly increase the brand’s presence in the city. It is great to see one of our existing retailers investing in Eldon Square and expanding their offer to meet customer demand in line with the latest retail trends.”

Next spokeswoman Jayne Pushon also said that by launching a new large-format store in Newcastle it will “be able to introduce customers to our new home and beauty department.”

With an annual footfall of 26 million, Eldon Square measures 1.35 million sq ft and features over 140 retailers including John Lewis, Fenwick, Boots, Next and H&M.