Hotel Chocolat moves into Manchester bank

The confectioner has signed a 10-year lease on the former Halifax on Cross Street.

The deal sees Hotel Chocolat open a 7,200 sq ft store, its second in the Manchester Arndale estate and fourth in the city centre.

The new store, which includes a cafe, is one of 126 Hotel Chocolat outlets across the world.

Scott Linard, portfolio manager for M&G Real Estate, which co-owns the Arndale, said: “At Manchester Arndale we pride ourselves on offering a varied F&B mix as we want to provide customers with a vibrant lineup of refreshing drinks and delicious food.

“It is also great to see another established brand select Manchester Arndale for one of its flagship stores. This investment by Hotel Chocolat in Manchester Arndale is further evidence of established brands having confidence in the centre as they look to capitalise on our wide catchment area which brings in visitors from across the North West.”

Steve Gray, head of European retail asset management at Arndale co-owner Global Mutual, added: “Hotel Chocolat is an impressive brand which has taken chocolate in bold directions. We are proud to have cultivated a diverse tenant line-up at Manchester Arndale and are equally excited to add a flagship Hotel Chocolat store to this mix.

“Establishing relationships with established brands demonstrates that Manchester Arndale continues to be an attractive destination for big retail names and ensures we remain the North West’s premier retail destination.”

Elsewhere at the Arndale, Popeyes recently made its debut, signing for 2,800 sq ft, while various occupiers have signed lease extensions in recent months. These include Deichmann, which also took an extra 2,000 sq ft, and Urban Playground, which inked a three-year lease extension on its 19,000 sq ft leisure venue.

Hotel Chocolat has also recently opened in Wilmslow, taking a 1,429 sq ft unit on Water Lane.