Metrocentre Announces Plans for ‘The Crescent’ – A New Flagship Destination for Independent Retail

The Metrocentre Partnership has announced plans to refurbish and reposition The Forum to create The Crescent, a new flagship destination set to champion independent retail and revitalise a key link mall within the centre.

The Crescent proposal forms part of Metrocentre’s long-term vision to enhance this important connection between the Blue Mall and Green Malls, introducing a modern, character-led environment designed for a new generation of independent retailers.

For visitors, The Crescent will become a warm, welcoming space with a village-like feel, somewhere to browse and discover unique brands while enjoying a slower, more sociable space within the centre, with up to 10 newly refurbished retail units and a centrally positioned coffee hub.

To support this transformation, a new brand identity, The Crescent, will give the location a clear, distinctive character.

Historically, The Forum was home to specialist independent retailers; The Crescent aims to bring this charm back, giving shoppers more reasons to explore, dwell and enjoy something beyond mainstream retail.

The Crescent is positioned to benefit from Metrocentre’s strong performance metrics, including 15.8 million annual visitors and an average dwell time of over two hours, creating a favourable environment for independent retailers, including those considering opening their first physical store.

The design takes inspiration from picturesque market towns, creating a calm, beautifully detailed space for guests to shop, meet for coffee and enjoy a different pace within Metrocentre.

Complementing the natural features introduced at Town Square, the design draws on the character of the distinctive crescent shape, envisioned as a vibrant mix of quality independent stores and aspirational brands.

The refurbishment has two main components, the aesthetic of the mall and the shop units, which includes:

• Traditional Victorian-inspired fascias with panelled pilasters, stall risers, panel doors and hand-painted signage
• An artisan coffee hub intended to become a new meeting place, ideal for catchups, remote working or simply relaxing between shops.
• Enhanced with new floor finishes, treated landlord columns to create the appearance of ‘trees’ connecting into the mall ceiling, with greenery and natural tones being introduced to create a calm setting and the impression of an external village street

Recently, Metrocentre has focused on major projects with significant strategic impact; including Zara, Stradivarius, H Beauty and the NHS Community Diagnostic Centre. Now, The Forum is the next area within the mall that will benefit from investment.

The Crescent aims to provide an attractive, affordable and flexible space for local brands and service-led operators. For customers, this means more local businesses, more specialist products and a more diverse, community-rooted experience in the centre.

• Plans announced: 30 November 2025
• Hoardings (M&S frontage): 1 December 2025, as shown in the hoarding visuals
• Refurbishment phase: Proposed into early 2026
• Units ready for occupation: Q2 2026

Ben Cox, Director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, Asset Managers of Metrocentre:

“The Crescent is an important part of our strategy to bring fresh energy, upgraded design and a stronger independent retail presence to this link mall, which reflects our ambition to invest in areas of the centre where our customers will see the biggest benefit, creating an additional destination that resonates with shoppers, whilst attracting a diverse mix of occupiers.

We know our visitors love discovering something new, and The Crescent is designed to offer exactly that, a space filled with character, independent brands and a welcoming feel.”

The Crescent is expected to become one of the most characterful areas within Metrocentre, a place to discover small local brands, enjoy artisan coffee, and explore boutique-style stores.