NewRiver reveals a new look for Highcross Shopping Centre

Planning approval has been granted for the reconfiguration of four entrances at Highcross Shopping Centre, one of NewRiver’s capital partnership assets in Leicester.

Highcross, a 1,100,000 sq ft regional shopping centre sits in the heart of Leicester and is the principal retail and leisure offer within the city and beyond.  

The four entrances - East Gates, High Street, Church Gate and Bond Street - will be reconfigured to improve customer accessibility and wayfinding, whilst the contemporary designs celebrate the city's vibrant fashion and textiles legacy.

The new entrance concepts reflect textures and designs from the fashion industry, including a 'runway', a curtain reveal and twisted pleat feature, paying homage to Leicester’s rich heritage – once recognised as one of Europe’s most prosperous cities due to its booming textiles industry. 

The new entrances, along with upgrades to public realm, will improve centre visibility, create greater accessibility and improve links with the city centre. The upgrades also follow feedback from retailers who are investing in their own stores at the centre.

Anchored by John Lewis, Zara, Apple and Next, Highcross has over 150 shops across two levels, offering premium fashion, technology, beauty and homewares. The centre also has an appealing food and beverage offer with more than thirty brands including Wagamama, Pizza Express, Turtle Bay and Nando’s, as well as Showcase Cinema and Treetop Adventure Golf.

As part of the rejuvenation strategy, the NewRiver capital partnerships asset management team has diversified and elevated the occupier mix, introducing more than 10 new occupiers including popular Spanish fashion anchor Mango which is due to open in Spring/Summer 2025, with a number of new brands and concepts due to open later this year. This strategy has been focused on reinvigorating this popular destination shopping centre in the heart of Leicester to create a vibrant retail and leisure experience.

Work to replace the entrances is expected to start in Spring 2025 and take about six months.

Christina Beggan, Asset Management Director for the centre: “Our strategy for Highcross has been to create a cohesive, compelling and contemporary retail and leisure environment, delivering the optimal occupier mix with new brands and concepts that cater to the diverse demographic in the city and surrounding areas. This strategy includes enhancing the public realm, access and wayfinding.

We’re delighted that the new entrances have been given planning approval, marking another important milestone in the delivery our asset management strategy for the centre. These new entrances, together with the various new high-profile brands, will improve the overall customer experience and transform the centre, with a nod to the City’s rich textile heritage.”