Look intu future as Next joins Merry Hill
New images show how work is progressing on work to bring fashion retail giant Next to the Merry Hill shopping centre.
The former Sainsbury's superstore at Merry Hill is to become one of the biggest Next stores in the UK.
intu, which runs Merry Hill, described the new shop as a 'multi-million pound state-of-the-art store'.
The multi-million development will include Next's homeware range, an outlet for the Lipsy fashion brand and a coffee shop when it opens around Easter this year.
A deal for the Sainsbury's store followed months of talks between intu and Next.
It was revealed last year as part of the shopping centre owner's ambitious £100 million plans to transform Merry Hill.
Nick Round, regional director at intu, said: “We will be working closely with Next to build a fantastic space for what will be one of their biggest UK stores.
“Next’s significant investment at intu Merry Hill reflects our own long term commitment to the centre and the confidence that exists in it as a destination where brands can really flourish.
"Our plans are to attract even more great brands and create compelling experiences for customers across the West Midlands.”
Mr Round said the new Next will extend the original Sainsbury's footprint of 60,000 sq ft, taking in the site of one of the shopping centre's three Burger Kings and extending the 20ft ceilings by another 10ft, installing a 4,500 sq ft mezzanine.
"It will have a new design, new layout and new format, creating a new flagship store for Next that will help bring more shoppers to Merry Hill," he said. "There will be a lot of glazing around the store; it's going to be a sensational building."
Other new brands have invested at Merry Hill since intu took full ownership of the centre last year. JD Sports, Topshop and River Island all increased the size of their stores, while TAG Heuer, Five Guys and Virgin Holidays opened last year.
