The Merrion Centre is celebrating a strong first half of the year, attributing its continuing success to its strategy to offer a wide and varied mix of value, discount and mainstream shops, restaurants and leisure outlets.

Across May and June alone, Leeds’ longest-established shopping centre saw footfall increase by almost 4% YOY, welcoming more than 61,000 extra shoppers and visitors. Marking its unique position within Leeds, the centre has continued to introduce tenants that appeal to people of all ages and demographics.

The Merrion Centre has long been known for its variety, ensuring there are opportunities to find discounts and savings alongside the chance to treat yourself or enjoy a bit of luxury. For example, in the last 12 months it has welcomed Heron Foods as a grocery discounter, but has also welcomed Marco Pierre White’s New York Italian restaurant and bar as a luxury food offering alongside the newly opened ibis Styles Hotel.

Last month it was reported that consumers were returning to discounters and looking for more value deals in the face of economic uncertainty. The Merrion Centre is home to a number of discounters and value retailers, including The Works, Poundworld and Home Bargains, which will be a factor in its ongoing increase in footfall.  Poundworld also recently invested in its Merrion Centre store to completely refurbish the interior.

James Broughton, Head of Marketing and PR at Town Centre Securities, owners of the Merrion Centre said: “We’re delighted to see our growth continuing and footfall figures increasing. We’ve noticed a shift in shopper expectations when it comes to value, and we know that people aren’t just visiting one store when doing their weekly shop. At the Merrion Centre we have a vibrant and varied mix of shops that attract a very unique demographic. “We are finding that people will visit Heron Foods, Poundworld and Home Bargains along with Morrisons for their weekly shop, but then we ensure they have other options when they’re looking to treat themselves. The rise of value stores moving to city centre locations has meant the Merrion has been able to offer great value whilst also giving people the option to experience higher-end stores all in one location.”

So far, the Centre has opened five new stores in 2017 and refurbished existing restaurant, My Thai. The restaurant, which was recently crowned the best restaurant in Leeds, prides itself on offering high quality food at affordable prices. The centre has also benefited from its proximity to the arena and recently introduced its first street food festival, Merrion StrEAT, which attracted thousands of arena-goers and city centre shoppers.

Helen Green, Associate Director at Town Centre Securities, the owner of the Merrion Centre, said: “We’re incredibly excited for the next phase of investments at the Centre with more announcements coming in the second half of the year. 

We have just welcomed the renowned Jumbo Records back to the mall, renewed our contract to be the home of the only Leeds United shop in the city centre, and will also be introducing new business units on our Wade Lane mall to further enhance our retail offering. There’s never been a better time to visit the Merrion Centre!”