Touchwood records strong trading for 2025

Solihull scheme sees increased footfall and occupier demand, operating at close to 100 percent occupancy throughout the year

Touchwood, the West Midlands’ retail and leisure destination, saw strong trading performance over the course of 2025, with a rise in footfall and leasing activity and the asset operating at close to full occupancy.

Footfall rose year-on-year to 11.2 million visitors, with particularly strong performance in the final quarter of the year (up 2.3 percent on 2024) and the crucial December period (up 2.6 percent).

The ongoing strength of the scheme was reflected in the leasing progress, with over 80,000 sq ft of activity. Strong demand was seen from both new and existing brands, with notable deals including Apple opening a new store – more than tripling its presence at the destination – and new arrivals such as Space NK, Sweaty Betty and Lisa Angel opening their doors.

2025 also saw the ongoing expansion of Touchwood’s leisure and restaurant offer, with US burger chain Wendy’s and Brazilian-style steakhouse Beleza Rodizio opening at the scheme. Touchwood’s Jubilee Walk area, a focus for dining operators, was one of a number of areas of the scheme that saw investment to update the physical space, including the refurbishment of new toilets.

Following its acquisition of Touchwood in 2021, owner The Ardent Companies (Ardent) and asset manager Sovereign Centros from CBRE have implemented a strategy focused on diversifying and expanding the destination’s tenant mix and offer, bringing in new retail brands dining options and leisure operators to grow the scheme’s visitor base.

Joe Swindells, Asset Management & Development Director for Ardent, said: “The performance of Touchwood over the past year, with increased footfall and strong leasing, highlights its position as the region’s leading retail and leisure destination and demonstrates the benefit of our strategic approach. It is particularly pleasing to attract new occupiers and see existing brands such as Apple expand their footprint at the scheme, giving visitors to Touchwood access to the widest possible range of retail, leisure and dining operators.”

Sovereign Centros from CBRE is the asset manager of Touchwood, with Cushman & Wakefield and Knight Frank the retained leasing agents.