Birmingham Retail Investment Doubles to £202M; Merry Hill 96% Let
CSGP•CoStar’s data shows Birmingham’s retail investment rolling 12-month average hit £202 million in Q1, doubling the five-year annual average and marking a 10-year high. The 1.4 million sq ft Merry Hill centre is now over 96% let after a £125 million refurbishment, with footfall rebounding to 15 million.
1. Birmingham Retail Investment Surge
CoStar’s analytics reveal that Birmingham’s retail investment rolling 12-month average reached £202 million in Q1, double the five-year annual average and the highest level since 2016, reflecting renewed confidence in the city’s retail market.
2. Merry Hill Centre Performance
The 1.4 million sq ft Merry Hill shopping centre achieved over 96% occupancy following a £125 million investment that added 300,000 sq ft of new and upgraded space; footfall climbed to 15 million in 2025 and sales grew 4.3% year-on-year.
3. Investment Climate and Outlook
Investor sentiment has softened due to geopolitical tensions, leading to more selective dealmaking and stabilized pricing momentum, contrasting with the stronger transactional pace seen earlier in the year.
