A popular Spanish fashion brand has announced plans to open its first store in the North East.
Stradivarius – part of the same group which also owns Zara – has signed up for a huge store at the Metrocentre, marking the brand’s first ever location in the North East.
Stradivarius will be well known to holiday makers who love to bring back fashions from their trips, as it has stores right across Spain and beyond, with more than 900 shops in 62 countries across the globe. The brand is famed for selling the latest trends at a price point that won’t break the bank, selling striking fashions fresh off the catwalk as well as seasonal essentials.
The shop is set to open in the lower Red Mall this summer, just along the mall from it sister brand Zara, with bosses saying the signing reaffirms the brands’ owner Inditex’s trust in Metrocentre as a destination where their companies can thrive. The Red Mall is now setting out its stall as the place to go for fashionistas with a steady stream of retailers including Reiss, Mango, New Look and the newly refurbished River Island.
Ben Cox, director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, asset managers of Metrocentre, said it further underscores the centre’s regional dominance in attracting the latest and most sought-after fashion brands.
He said: “Stradivarius signing for this regional debut is a huge statement for Metrocentre, confirming its appeal as the premier retail destination in the North East. Inditex’s decision to bring another of its leading brands to Red Mall showcases our ability to deliver the best in fashion experiences to our growing and increasingly loyal customer base.”
(Image: Stradivarius)
The latest signing comes after Metrocentre bosses celebrated a strong start to 2025, following a record-breaking 2024 for both sales and footfall. The centre saw a lift in visitors in 2024, welcoming 15.8m visitors, a 10% increase compared to 2023, and it signed up retailers who took up almost 300,000 sq ft of space.
New arrivals last year included GO Outdoors, ProCook and Mango, as well as a new large format Greggs and new homes for Clarks and Victoria’s Secret. The Qube also welcomed The Escapologist escape rooms and bar.
The centre’s financial backers are spending £70m on the centre by the end of 2025, through investment which includes £6m on the creation of a new entrance to the green mall including new restaurants, and a £3.1m investment in a solar panel scheme – the largest installation in a UK shopping centre. Major funding into EV charging points has also been made.
The centre plays an active role in the local area and is a dedicated supporter of community funds, events, and charities. Last year Metrocentre worked with 11 charities to raise almost £40,000 from various collections, raffles and fundraising initiatives, including the Poppy Appeal, Gateshead Foodbank and Marie Curie.
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