Next announces major Cribbs Causeway upgrade plus Bath and Body Works set to open

The retailer operates Bath & Body Works in the UK through its partnership model

Next is planning a “major upgrade” of its store at Cribbs Causeway near Bristol and is also opening a standalone Bath and Body Works outlet at the shopping centre, it has announced.

The retailer, which operates Bath and Body Works in the UK through its partnership model, has confirmed it will be bringing the concept to the South West for the first time after agreeing to lease a 1,797 sq ft unit at The Mall.

It is also planning to upsize its own clothing store at Cribbs to a larger 47,000 sq ft space in a move it says will allow it to showcase more fashion and accessories.

Katie Searle, director of asset management at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, said: “Cribbs has become a hub for brands to test new store concepts and product ranges to help them stay ahead of the competition.

“The Next at Cribbs Mall is among the retailer’s best stores in the country so we are not surprised that they are bringing Bath and Body Works to Cribbs whilst committing to a major upgrade of their space to create new flagship concepts for the South West.

“These premium stores at Cribbs will act as showrooms, with shoppers of all ages from across the West Country, West Midlands, South West and South Wales travelling to explore the latest styles and trends.”

The investment by Next follows a run of brands opening or expanding at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway over the past few years.

M&S completed a full refit of its 103,000 sq ft store at the end of 2024, adding a market-style foodhall and café, while expanding its footwear department and upgrading its beauty section.

H&M also opened a new regional flagship at Cribbs Causeway that year, incorporating new tech features across the store, while Boots invested in a modernised beauty hall, which has more than 30 premium brands.

Other retailers to open within the shopping centre in recent months include Miniso, AllSaints, Animal, Levi’s, and Rodd & Gunn.

According to CBRE, Cribbs’ retailers have experienced a 26 per cent rise in domestic visitors over the past year as well as a 13 per cent growth in Gen Z shoppers.

Sovereign Centros from CBRE provides full asset management services across Cribbs on behalf of M&G Real Estate, while Time Retail Partners and Cushman & Wakefield are retained letting agents for the centre, with Green & Partners retained in the leasing advisory role.