Indoor trampoline park operator Gravity has instructed Savills to lead its expansion into Europe, with plans to open sites in Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Ireland and Poland as well as other targeted European countries.
Gravity is seeking potential sites of between 1,394 sqm and 2,787 sqm in large scale leisure schemes, shopping centers and retail parks. They are focused on all major markets, particularly those in prime urban areas and regional shopping and leisure venues. Sites are required to have a minimum eaves height of 5.2 meters for at least 1,115 sqm of the internal floor space.
The expansion follows six successful venues established by the UK-based chain to date including: Xscape, Yorkshire; St Stephen’s Shopping Centre, Hull; The Soar, Glasgow and Edinburgh Fountain Park. A further two are in development and due to open before the end of 2017 at Bluewater, Kent and Xscape, Milton Keynes, while more UK sites will follow in 2018. All current locations are within high footfall retail and leisure schemes in the UK.
Steve Henderson, retail director at Savills, commented: “Gravity has undergone phenomenal success in the UK since its launch in 2014 and also has a proven track record of boosting sales and footfall for surrounding operators at the schemes in which it is located. We are excited to be taking the brand into mainland Europe for the first time and look forward to announcing details of deals secured in the near future.”
Harvey Jenkinson, CEO of Gravity, added: “Our property strategy has been a key part of our success to date. We look to partner with the landlords and developers of major retail and leisure schemes and venues, and see the Gravity offer as an integral part of the overall leisure mix. This is in contrast to the cost-focused, standalone approach adopted by many local or less brand focused operators.”
Larry Brennan, head of European retail agency at Savills, said, “We are delighted to partner with Gravity for its European roll-out. The firm is not only well-backed financially, but is led by a fantastic management team. We have found them extremely flexible and inventive in their approach to opportunities as long as the business case stands and the minimum requirements, most importantly height, can be achieved.”
“We will advise Gravity and provide the tenant with the analysis of the Polish market. Indoor trampoline park operators are already present in Poland, but the role of entertainment in shopping centres is rising what creates an opportunity for companies interested in offering such services,” said Krzysztof Wyrzykowski, Senior Leasing Manager, Retail Agency at Savills.
Gravity and Savills will be attending MAPIC, Europe’s largest retail and leisure trade event, in November to launch the search for new sites and meet major European shopping centre landlords.
