Burley Browne piles on the pounds as its leisure retail division thrives

Burley Browne's director, David Hemming, outside Handmade Burger Co, Grand Central.

Burley Browne is flexing its leisure retail muscles in 2016 having already advised on 17 new sites totaling £10 million of new outlets for its growing list of leisure retail operators.

Handmade Burger Co, Stonebaked Pizza, Barburrito all count themselves amongst clients of the Sutton Coldfield based chartered surveyors and commercial property agents.

Burley Browne’s director, David Hemming, who has been travelling the length and breath of the UK since the beginning of January, securing new sites, says this year looks set to be a record year for leisure retail:

“Consumers’ appetite for eating out is increasing and due to a shift in shopping habits, visiting a restaurant is now all part of the retail experience. A wide range of high quality food is now sought and as a consequence clients such as Handmade Burger Co and Barburrito are thriving.”

Birmingham born Handmade Burger Co opened flagship units in Grand Central,
and Victoria Centre, Nottingham, both 4000 sq ft at the end of 2015. This year will see further openings in Telford’s Southwater scheme, in Newcastle’s Eldon Square (the third in the city), at East Kilbride Shopping Centre (the fourth in Glasgow) and within Bournemouth’s new West Central leisure scheme.

David adds: “Birmingham alongside other major cities are becoming a key destination as the capital becomes overcrowded and London based operators are now branching out into the regions.

“Handmade Burger Co, whose business started in Brindleyplace’s Water’s Edge nearly 10 years ago, has a strong affinity with Birmingham and has taken a stake in every major local retail scheme including Grand Central, Bull Ring and Brindleyplace.

“The success of Birmingham and other major cities outside London is also now trickling down to surrounding secondary locations. Larger operators are looking at more affluent suburbs when they are already represented in a major city. Locally the likes of Sutton Coldfield, Harbourne, Mere Green are seeing the benefits with Prezzo, Nandos and Loungers and Brewhouse & Kitchen all opening.”