Hammerson announces that Bullring’s LinkStreet is to welcome iconic British brand, Ben Sherman with its first standalone store in Birmingham.
Traditionally catering to an alternative youth culture, Ben Sherman has maintained its popularity in a niche market whilst expanding globally. Offering its full range of menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, shoes and fashion, the new 164 sq m store will mark the brand’s debut in the city when it opens in April. The store will be located on LinkStreet, the newly refurbished retail space that connects Bullring and Grand Central.
The concept behind the refurbishment of LinkStreet was inspired by innovative retail arcades such as Carnaby Street and Seven Dials in London. It has now established itself as the prime space for niche and alternative brands looking to enter the Birmingham market and to build an all-important brand presence in the country’s second city. The space has purpose-built flexible units that cater for pop-ups and short term leases, alongside more permanent tenants including the likes of Pretty Green and Barber Barber. Brands that have taken pop up stores include online retailer Made.com and niche fashion brands Trapstar and Religion Clothing, as well as Cereal Killer Café, Vincent Van Doodle and VirtualX.
Iain Mitchell, UK Commercial Director, commented “Since it’s refurbishment in 2015 LinkStreet has gone from strength to strength and the addition of Ben Sherman’s first standalone store in the city is testament to this. A perfect fit for the exciting and innovative retail line-up already secured at LinkStreet, Ben Sherman will benefit from the high number of shoppers that pass through the space, as well as the dynamic and evolving tenant mix.”
A spokesperson for Ben Sherman said, “We are delighted to be opening our first store outside of London at Bullring’s LinkStreet. We are looking forward to joining the exciting and original tenant line-up and bringing our high quality collections to Birmingham.”
ENDS