Merry Hill levels up with Funstation’s 23,700 sq ft concept

Merry Hill has announced that Funstation, the UK’s ultimate family entertainment brand, has signed for a 23,700 sq ft location at the top 10 UK super regional centre, as a new anchor leisure operator.

Funstation is set to bring its most impressive flagship venue to the West Midlands destination, ‘Carnival Golf & Games!’, set to launch later this year. The brand-new concept encapsulates all of the best attractions Funstation has to offer, following more than 20 years of success across the UK. At the heart of the space is Carnival Golf, joined by two more themed courses and a signature blend of immersive video, VR games, and, for the first time, Breakout Escape Rooms, transforming the experience into an all-in-one destination for family-friendly fun.

This is the third and final brand to open in the unit previously home to Debenhams, alongside retail giant Harvey Norman and fitness operator XF Gym to create a diverse trio of anchor tenants.

Alistair Winning, Asset Manager at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, commented: “The signing of Funstation is the final chapter in our extensive regeneration strategy following the closure of Debenhams, adding a third unique operator to the 120,000 sq ft space. Funstation’s commitment is representative of the transformation Merry Hill has undergone recently and continues to drive ahead with in its 40^th year, and is a direct response to evolved consumer desire for increased experiential leisure.”

James Miller, CEO at Funstation, added: “With 14 thriving locations across the UK, our new Merry Hill venue represents our largest and most ambitious project yet. We’re pulling out all the stops to create an unforgettable experience combining the best of our brands and activities and we are really excited to anchor the leisure offer. Merry Hill’s scale, energy, and incredible catchment made it the perfect choice for our next level venue.”

JLL, Time Retail Partners, and Font Real Estate represent Merry Hill.