Metrocentre has today announced the next brands to join its new hub for independent retailers, The Crescent, which officially launched this weekend with the opening of Café Filto.
The fast-growing Filto chain was the first artisanal brand to sign with The Crescent and is now serving its signature drinks and light bites from a central spot at the heart of the new 10,000 sq ft hub in Upper Green Mall.
Soon, it will be joined by three more independent retailers.
Bespoke jewellery boutique, Thatype, is embarking on the next chapter of its growth, relocating from its original Newcastle city centre premises to an all-new store at The Crescent, where it will stock its collections of custom-made rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings, supported by its online shop.
Similarly, multiple award-winning men’s barber and hairdresser, Webster & Carr, is looking to build on the success of its hugely popular Gosforth venue with a second location, opening the doors to a new store at The Crescent, offering styling, grooming, cuts and shaves, along with carefully curated fragrances.
Meanwhile, Pokémon and trading card games specialist, Aqua TCG, will open its first ever store at The Crescent, having amassed a strong following at card shows in and around the North East region and wider UK.
Noah Knapton, Asset Manager at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, Asset Managers of Metrocentre, said: ‘As these latest signings prove, the North East can lay claim to a wealth of small businesses, start-ups and scale-ups. What better platform to showcase their creativity and to support their further growth than The Crescent – our new, dedicated space for independent and emerging brands.
‘For the retailers themselves, it offers a prime location with high footfall and unrivalled visibility in the region. For our customers, it delivers an even richer mix of stores, services and experiences, with more great additions still to be announced.’
The sense of anticipation among the latest independents to be announced is equally high, with work already underway to prepare the new stores for opening.
Mia Fang, Owner of Thatype, commented: ‘What appealed most about The Crescent is its vision of creating a space where established brands and independent businesses can thrive alongside one another. It provides small businesses like ours with the opportunity to reach new customers, grow our brand, and share our passion and craftsmanship with a much wider audience.’
Darren Carr, Co-owner of Webster & Carr, added: ‘We searched for more than 18 months before we found The Crescent at Metrocentre. The moment we walked in, we knew our brand had found its next home. Not simply because of the location but because the people believed in our vision as much as we do. Their enthusiasm was genuine. Their support was obvious. We could feel it.’
James Leather, Co-founder of Aqua TCG, shared: ‘Being from Gateshead, we knew Metrocentre to be a prime location for footfall. Thinking of our customers, we also knew it to be easily accessible, whether travelling by car, bus or train, which was important to us. We wanted to make ourselves as easy as possible to find, chat to and trade with, so where better in the North East than The Crescent with its growing community of indie brands and businesses.’
With space at The Crescent in high demand and only a few of the 10 available units remaining, more signings will be announced soon.
