£13 million investment plans revealed for Lowry Outlet

Plans have been revealed for the development of Lifestyle Outlet’s Lowry Outlet MediaCityUK Manchester site following the announcement that Peel Outletshas rebranded as Lifestyle Outlets.

Plans reveal a £13 million investment into a redevelopment of Lowry Outlet’s infrastructure. The first phase includes the creation of a stunning waterside restaurant terrace with a new upper level balcony along the waterfront and new restaurants along the waterside. A new impressive entrance and steps will be created from the entrance of the outlet to access Manchester’s new waterfront.

Inside the centre, new escalators will provide a direct link to the cinema and new expanded leisure area with more family entertainment planned. A full redesign of the existing food hall is planned, as well as a full centre refurbishment with new ceilings, furniture, escalators and improved lighting throughout.

All new and existing shops are getting new shop frontages, which include fully glazed floor to ceiling windows and illuminated signage. This can already be seen on newly launched stores M&S Outlet, ToyTown, H Samuel Outlet and Bench.

Outside the centre, further landscaping will be carried out to improve the tree-lined walkway and areas around the outlet to enhance the setting and experience.

Phase one, which is already underway, will also bring in new anchor tenants, which will add to the retail experience of Lowry Outlet.

Jason Pullen, Managing Director of Lifestyle Outlets, comments: “It is Lifestyle Outlets’ passion for creating vibrant destinations, which inspired us to create, what will be, a truly stunning waterfront dining terrace with views over the Manchester ship canal, Old Trafford and the Manchester skyline.

“Historically the centre has turned its back on the water and we want to reverse that. We want to increase movement around the outlet. With our phase one plans, we’re working in conjunction with the wider MediaCityUK site creating a vibrant destination, already home to BBC, ITV and more, with digital creativity and leisure at its heart.”

Pullen continued: “We already have a fantastic range of brands at Lowry Outlet including Next, Gap and Clarks, plus the new-look M&S Outlet, Bench and H Samuel adding to the mix and many more top brands in the pipeline. This is an exciting time for the outlet.”

Lifestyle Outlets rebranded in September 2016 as part of a wider strategy to redefine outlet shopping and, in doing so, challenge the soullessness of traditional centres to create a better generation of outlet destinations.

Pullen added: “Shopping has become a major leisure activity and people expect more from a centre than just background music. They want an experience. That’s why great brands and entertainment are an integral part of our appeal.

“To encourage more frequent visits, attract new audiences and cement our position as part of the local community and wider region, we host major events like our summer Food Festivals and Christmas Markets, whilst our monthly artisan food and craft markets maintain activity and interest throughout the year.

“Our innovative approach means our retail schemes are twice the size of traditional outlets, with leisure and food and beverage added to the outlet core.”

Lifestyle Outlets, which operates another site in Gloucester and is developing a new site in Glasgow, offers a place to meet, relax, enjoy and feel a part of.  Customers can expect to find quality outlet retailers, including high street names and designer labels offering up to 70% off; cosmopolitan restaurants, bars and coffee shops, state-of-the-art cinemas, gyms, hotels, regular artisan food and craft markets and large-scale seasonal events.

Lifestyle Outlets collaborates with its brands to give customers a quality retail experience. Just some of the brands that can be found at Lifestyle Outlets Manchester, Lowry Outlet include M&S Outlet, Bench, Next, Gap Outlet, Clarks Outlet, The Body Shop, VUE Cinema, Virgin Active, Bella Italia, Nando’s and Pizza Express.