- Eldon Square’s August footfall growth outpaced the UK shopping-centre average by 5.5 percentage points
- F&B and leisure accounted for 13.4 percent of total centre sales in June
- Freight Island’s opening marks a major milestone in Eldon Square’s evolving leisure offer
Eldon Square recorded 5 percent like-for-like footfall growth in August compared with the same month in 2025, taking year-to-date footfall growth to 4.2 percent. The performance was notably ahead of the wider market, with BRC-Sensormatic data showing UK shopping-centre footfall declined by 0.5 percent year-on-year in August.
With growth recorded across every week of August, the figures reflect continued demand for the Newcastle city-centre destination during the summer trading period.
Several retail categories performed strongly during the month, led by Music, Books & Games, which recorded 15 percent like-for-like sales growth. Mixed Fashion and Home & Garden also saw growth of 4.8 percent and 4.7 percent respectively, against a 0.8 percent decline in UK non-food retail sales in August, according to the BRC. Together, the results point to growth across a broad mix of retail categories rather than a single part of the centre’s offer.
F&B and leisure drive destination growth
Food, drink and leisure are becoming an increasingly significant part of Eldon Square’s trading mix, accounting for 13.4 percent of total centre sales in June – with strong performance from F&B operators such as Smashburger, The Alchemist and Bella Italia.
Summer 2026 also saw the opening of Freight Island Newcastle, transforming the top floor and rooftop of the former Debenhams unit into a 60,000 sq ft food, drink and entertainment destination. Bringing together multiple kitchens, bars, live entertainment and indoor and outdoor space, the venue has added a new all-day and evening proposition to Eldon Square.
Freight Island joins Eldon Square’s established hospitality and leisure offer, which includes more than 35 food and beverage providers alongside over 100 retailers.
Evolving the city-centre destination
The continued development of Eldon Square’s retail, food, drink and leisure offer forms part of its wider evolution as a city-centre destination, creating more reasons for visitors to spend time in Newcastle throughout the day and into the evening.
With 26.4 million annual visitors recorded in 2025, Eldon Square remains one of the UK’s most visited city-centre shopping destinations. Managed by XPE Group and Pradera, and in long-term commercial partnership with Newcastle City Council, the centre continues to develop its mix of retail, food, drink and leisure to support the wider transformation of Newcastle city centre.
Helen Cowie, Centre Director at Eldon Square, said: “Against a challenging backdrop for UK retail, Eldon Square has continued to move in the opposite direction, with footfall and sales growth across the centre. It’s a strong indication that our evolving mix of retail, food, drink and leisure is resonating with visitors. We’re seeing people continue to choose Eldon Square as a place to shop, eat and spend time, and we’re focused on building on that momentum.”
Share this story
September 2026 issue
2026 A1 Buyers Guide
