DESIGNER shops are continuing to flock to the Metquarter as three new outlets sign up for space there. The £75m retail arcade, which is home to designer labels including Armani, Prada, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana, is about to sign contracts with Diesel, Peter Werth and Firetrap. It means the new shopping centre, opened last month, is now 75% let. Denim specialist Diesel wants 4,000 sq ft at the 150,000 sq ft scheme, while fashion label Peter Werth has asked for 2,000 sq ft. Streetwear brand Firetrap will take a 4,500 sq ft store. A spokeswoman for the arcade would not confirm the lettings, but said: "Since the opening of the Metquarter, all those brands which were unsure about Liverpool or hadn't traded in the city for some time have all come back to the table. "The brands wanted to see how the Metquarter did when it opened and its success means that they want to come back." The spokeswoman said they had been approached by one particularly exciting retailer, but would not say who it was. She said: "Since the opening, a lot of the people we have always had at the top of our wish-list have come back." Savile Row suit-maker Gieves & Hawkes and skincare brand Molton & Brown are among the luxury retailers which have opened at the Metquarter. Glamorous make-up label MAC has opened its only store outside London. Other retailers poised to sign include Toni & Guy Opticians, the London-based shoe retailer Kate Kuba, and upmarket stationery brand Paperchase. Based on the site of the former Whitechapel Post Office, the Metquarter is owned by developer MillIgan, which took ownership of the site in 2003. Together with Grosvenor's £920m scheme, the Metquarter is helping to turn Liverpool into one of Britain's most attractive shopping destinations. The immediate success of the arcade - which opened its doors on March 9 - has led to plans for late-night opening. sophiefreeman@dailypost.co.uk | 
RSS News Feed