Frasers Group, owned by Mike Ashley, is preparing to expand its retail portfolio with the acquisition of Fremlin Walk, a prominent outdoor shopping centre in Maidstone. The purchase is being made from M&G Real Estate, furthering Frasers’ active involvement in the UK’s retail property market.

Fremlin Walk, which spans 350,000 square feet and opened in 2005, is home to well-known retailers including H&M, Boots, JD Sports, and Pandora. The centre generates an annual income of £4.3 million. This autumn, Frasers Group will open a multi-brand store within the complex, featuring brands such as Frasers, Flannels, and Sports Direct. The development might be mentioned at property networking events in Maidstone, attracting attention from various stakeholders.

M&G Real Estate acquired Fremlin Walk for £110 million from Legal & General Property in 2014. The property was later put up for sale with an asking price of £25 million. This acquisition might be highlighted at upcoming construction networking events in Maidstone, as it aligns with the ongoing trend of investment in retail properties across the UK.

Frasers Group has been aggressively expanding its footprint in the retail property sector. Just last month, the company acquired the Frenchgate Shopping Centre in Doncaster, and in recent years, it has purchased other major properties including The Mall in Luton for £58 million and the Overgate Shopping Centre in Dundee for £30 million. The company is also in discussions with the Crown Estate regarding full ownership of the 630,000-square-foot Princesshay Shopping Centre in Exeter. These activities are likely to be a focus at future investment networking events in Doncaster, Dundee, and Luton.

Chief Executive Michael Murray recently explained Frasers Group’s strategy: “The opportunity for Frasers is to create anchor department stores and shopping centres where Frasers can take a floor which is a lot more productive, say 30,000 to 50,000 square feet, and then we can utilise the other floors for other areas of our business.”

To register your place at the UK’s biggest real estate and property festival, visit https://www.ukreiif.com/ukreiif-2025/.