Merry Hill bucks trend with sector-busting rise in footfall at the centre in 2025
Merry Hill has reported a sector-busting rise in footfall at the centre in 2025, after a busy festive season.
Bucking the British Retail Consortium’s report on shopping centre footfall decreasing last year, Merry Hill saw a 5.4 per cent increase in footfall, compared to 2024, and a five per cent increase in December against a national decrease.
Bosses at the shopping centre in Brierley Hill say the figures show Merry Hill is a firm favourite for the region’s shoppers throughout the year and the busy Christmas shopping period.
The growth is attributed to Merry Hill’s range of stores, eateries and leisure options with 21 brands having arrived at the centre, and a further 22 brands investing more than £20 million into their existing stores at the centre, throughout the year.
In 2025, Cotswold Outdoor, Flying Tiger, Lovisa, B&Q and Bensons for Beds opened new stores on site, bolstering the centre’s retail offer.
Burger & Sauce, Heavenly Desserts, Slim Chickens, Wendys and Toledo Lounge also opened in the mall, offering visitors more places to eat while they shop.
Key retailers, such as M&S, chose to reinvest in their existing stores, with M&S undergoing a complete transformation to bring its full food, home, fashion and beauty offer under one roof with a new standalone coffee shop opened just opposite the store.
Hotel Chocolat, EE and Goldsmiths also opened brand-new concept stores following extra investment.
Continuing the momentum of big openings, Merry Hill has announced that Carnival Golf & Games is set to open in the coming weeks, completing the transformation of the former Debenhams unit alongside Harvey Norman and experience led fitness operator XF Gym.
Merry Hill centre manager Jonathan Poole said: “2025 was a landmark year for Merry Hill, with the completion of the award-winning leisure quarter, the launch of 21 new brands, and a programme of UK-first events contributing to very strong footfall growth throughout the year.
“We’re proud to be kicking off the new year with the opening of a brand-new entertainment attraction – Carnival Golf and Games – which will bring action-packed fun and games to the centre in early 2026. Located near Nando’s and Slim Chickens, the opening marks another milestone for us as the flagship venue joins Harvey Norman and XF Gym to complete the former Debenhams space.
“We look forward to an exciting year ahead, and we will be revealing further centre news soon.”
