Uniqlo plans another London store, this time it's Coal Drops Yard

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Jun 5, 2024

In a “significant” arrival for both parties, Uniqlo has chosen Coal Drops Yard near Kings Cross for its latest London flagship location. 

And for the estate’s manager Related Argent, it’s also the destination’s “most significant retail deal” since opening in 2018.

Arriving this autumn, the three-floor 12,000 sq ft unit takes over the former Wolf & Badger space (that retailer has relocated to Soho), located at the southern gateway to the destination, “making it a huge draw for visitors to the estate”.

Each floor will be dedicated to a specific category (men’s, women’s and kidswear), “also bolstering King’s Cross’ reputation as a family-friendly retail destination”.

Uniqlo will join a roster of fashion retailers such as & Other Stories, Paul Smith, Ba&sh, Beyond Retro and COS.

James Rayner, head of retail at King’s Cross, said: “It is no secret that we’ve been working with Uniqlo for some time to find the right opportunity in the right location.

“By its own definition, Uniqlo is ‘made for everyone, everywhere’ and that is an ethos which really resonates with us.

“Our ambition at King’s Cross is to deliver the best of the British high street and the best of the British side street all in one place – and we think this latest deal does just that.”

The major deal follows two years of “record-breaking growth” at the 500,000 sq ft retail, leisure and hospitality space where sales have increased by 20% (2023 vs 2022) and 48% (2022 vs 2021). Across the same periods, footfall increased by 21% and 34%.

The opening will follow several new retail arrivals at King’s Cross this summer. East London’s Mare Street Market will open in mid-June, while Danish homewares and lifestyle retailer, Søstrene Grene recently opened its latest location.

There are also new plans for the northern part of the estate, known as Parkside East and Parkside West, with around 17 new ground floor spaces to lease over the next 18-24 months.