PR & Marketing Agency | Twist

Metrocentre a knockout Boxing Day, wrapping up successful year of Trading

The Metrocentre Partnership has recorded a robust festive trading period at Metrocentre, with increased footfall and standout trading days, underpinned by the success of 2025 openings, generating strong momentum into 2026.

Boxing Day delivered an exceptional performance for Metrocentre, with sales finishing 7.6% ahead of the same day in 2024, significantly outperforming the national average of 4.4%[1] for shopping centres and high streets across the UK.

 

This uplift was echoed throughout December, with several high-performing trading days, contributing to an overall like-for-like footfall increase of 23.2% vs December 2024, and culminating in a record-breaking 16 million visitors through the doors across 2025. The footfall growth is a reflection of the successful leasing strategy at Metrocentre, which has, over several years, brought about evolution of the tenant mix, ensuring a combination of retail, F&B, leisure, and alternative uses that resonates with its broad catchment across the North East.

This strong year-end performance builds on a transformational 2025 for Metrocentre, made possible by a programme of new openings, targeted investment, and continued confidence from leading national and international brands. Metrocentre elevated its offer with standout openings for Urban Outfitters, Stradivarius, Søstrene Grene, Diamond Factory, Maki & Ramen, and Activate. The destination also announced a UK exclusive for Peppa Pig: Surprise Party, set to open in the coming months, as well as KENJI’s North East debut, highlighting its role as the go-to destination in the region.

Ben Cox, Director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, Asset Managers of Metrocentre, said: “We have ended 2025 on such a high, with strong leasing activity and continued investment across the scheme from the owners and brands. This work done in the last 12 months will really take hold in 2026, with several openings on the horizon and a continuation of our strategy to diversify uses, maintaining Metrocentre’s position as the leading destination in the region by providing even more reasons to visit.

“That strategy is one that is rooted in longevity; we want the best brands, the best experience, and we want this to continue for years to come. These festive results speak volumes about the progress we have made and will continue to make, as we uphold our reputation in and importance to the North East.”

Alongside new openings, 2025 also saw significant brand and landlord investment, including a series of upsizes, relocations, and refurbishments. Highlights included Boots’ refurbished 40,000 sq ft store in Green Mall, and Superdrug’s relocation to a new 10,000 sq ft unit in Red Mall, boasting its new store format.

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We have an excellent track record in SEO for tailoring online and offline marketing campaigns that improve website performance, and use our skills and knowledge of Google’s algorithms to help our clients rank higher in Google search that ultimately provide improved conversion rates.

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From portraits of your team, to atmospheric vibes that reach far and wide on social, to tempt the glossies and inspire editorial inclusion, we can help come up with ideas for capturing the right moment, so when people see it, they will stop, think and want to know “where’s that”, “what’s that” and “I want that”! And even better… we want our content to create conversations for your brand.

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