First look: Footasylum upsizes Manchester Arndale store

Footasylum has upsized its presence in the shopping centre to an 18,000 sq ft space on Manchester Arrndale’s Exchange Court, which opened today (27 March), creating 14 new jobs. The move builds on what the business described as consistently strong performance across its Manchester locations, including its store at the Trafford Centre. The new store has been designed as an “immersive” retail destination, blending Footasylum’s digital community with a physical shopping experience. It will offer a mix of third-party brands including Nike, Asics, Hoka, Saucony and Berghaus, alongside its own-labels such as Monterrain, Forena and Epic Kid. To mark the launch, the retailer will host in-store activations including local DJs and brand partnerships with Adidas and Crep Protect, as well as collaborations with influencers. Advertisement Howard Tattersall, chief marketing officer at Footasylum, said the opening reflects the brand’s heritage in the city. “Manchester is at the very heart of Footasylum’s DNA, and our new flagship in the Arndale is a celebration of that heritage,” he said, adding that the larger space allows the retailer to “bring the full energy” of its brand offer to life. The upsizing forms part of a wider strategy to invest in high-footfall locations across the UK, even as the retailer continues to scale internationally. In late 2025, Footasylum signed a distribution agreement with MAD Agency covering Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and partnered with Apparel Group to expand across the Gulf Cooperation Council region. Nick Scott, chief financial officer, said the Arndale deal marked a “historic store opening” for the business, highlighting its long-term commitment to physical retail in key markets. Advertisement Last week, Footasylum also appointed Gymshark executive Hannah Mercer as its new CEO, effective from May. Have your say or a new account to join the discussion.