REI deal gives Holland & Barrett a gateway to the city centre

Health food chain Holland & Barrett has announced a new store in Birmingham city centre.

It has taken the ground and first floors at Real Estate Investors’ Gateway House at 50-53 High Street on a ten year lease.

Next to Marks & Spencer and near to the Bull Ring shopping centre, the outlet is expected to create nine jobs including a full time supervisor and part-time shop assistants.

Holland & Barrett’s Head of Brand Emma Hobbs said: “This is an excellent opportunity in an area enjoying a large footfall and amidst many quality retailers.

“It represents a very significant investment and we are confident it will receive a warm welcome from shoppers.”

The store is expected to open in April.

Ian Clark, senior asset manager at REI, said: “Holland & Barrett is a great addition to our portfolio.

“It confirms the level of confidence from the marketplace in the location and effectively endorses our asset management strategy in terms of making the most of the 27,000 sq ft complex.”

Holland & Barrett will be joining existing occupiers including Shelter and Learndirect, the UK’s largest provider of skills, training and employment services.

Its stores are a familiar sight in almost every major city and town across the UK and Ireland, 620 in total.

Gateway House occupies a prominent corner site bounded by High Street and Carrs Lane and forms part of Birmingham’s central retailing area.

The building is well positioned to take advantage of strong shopper and office worker pedestrian flows.

Retailers in the immediate vicinity including Boots, Sainsbury’s, WH Smith, H & M and Gap.

GVA acted for REI.