£30,000,000 designer outlet shopping centre to open in ‘charming’ UK town

A total of 44 brands have now been confirmed (Picture: Cotswold Designer Outlet)

While Tewkesbury is best known for its medieval history and mustard-making industry, a new shopping centre could soon transform the Gloucestershire town into a bargain-hunting haven.

Due to open in July, the first phase of the Cotswold Designer Outlet spans 119,150 sq ft of retail space – equivalent to about the size of Trafalgar Square – and 1,100 car parking spaces.

A number of fashion brands, including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, BOSS, Levi’s and Sweaty Betty, and food chains like Wagamama, Five Guys, Pret a Manger and Caffe Nero, are among the 44 businesses confirmed so far.

A flurry of additional brands are also said to have expressed interest in phase two of the £30 million project, which will extend the outlet provision by 50,000 sq ft to a total line-up of 90 stores.

It’s situated in the ‘gateway to the Cotswolds’ (Picture: Cotswold Designer Outlet)

According to Simon Tothill, property director at developer Robert Hitchins, more names will be shared in the coming weeks, and further expansion is underway to cement its status as a ‘go-to shopping destination for visitors from near and far.’

It’s not just shops either, with plans listing features from ‘motorway-pause’ walking routes and ‘chill out’ seating to play areas for both children and dogs.

Tewkesbury has long been a popular tourist destination (Picture: Cotswold Designer Outlet)

Near junction 9 of the M5, the Cotswold Designer Outlet sits just outside ‘charming’ Tewkesbury.

This was a strategic choice from bosses, who hope to capitalise on the region’s ‘destination appeal’ and offer visitors a new ‘day out’ option on their countryside breaks.

(Picture: Cotswold Designer Outlet)

There’s certainly no shortage of things to do locally, and the so-called ‘gateway to the Cotswolds’ attracts a steady stream of tourists for its character-filled streets riverside setting.

Tewkesbury Nature Reserve is perfect if you want to get away from it all, while the 12th Century Tewkesbury Abbey and Tewkesbury Museum offer a glimpse into the area’s rich history.

Plus, it’s easily accessible from around the UK: by car, you’re looking ataround two-and-a-half hours from London or an hour from Birmingham. Alternatively, regular trains run between Gloucester to Ashchurch for Tewkesbury, with the journey taking just under 20 minutes.

Full list of brands confirmed for the Cotswolds Designer Outlet line-up so far

Calvin Klein Tommy Hilfiger BOSS Adidas Animal Ben Sherman Denby French Connection Radley Rituals Dune Levi’s Under Armour Skopes GUESS Saltrock The Beauty Outlet M&S Weird Fish Sweaty Betty Regatta Puma Skechers Mountain Warehouse ProCook Cadburys Lindt Tefal Craghoppers Crew Clothing Bedeck Chapelle Perfume Shop Merrell Pavers Yankee Candle Clinton Cards 200 Degrees Pret A Manger Five Guys Zizzi Wagamama Caffe Nero KNEAD Bakery

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