Kings Mall, Hammersmith is welcoming global supermarket chain, Lidl, to west London. The supermarket has signed an Agreement to Lease, and is set to open its doors in July 2020. This follows the reconfiguration of space to provide 18,200 sq ft for the retailer, as part of extensive investment works that have been completed at Kings Mall to upgrade the look and feel of the centre.

Adding to the centre’s convenience offering, Metro Bank is on site, fitting out a newly configured 4,000 sq ft store in a prominent position on King Street. The bank will offer customers convenient banking and super-quick account opening, and will be open seven days a week. Metro Bank opened its first store in the UK in 2010 and was the first high street bank to open in the UK in more than 100 years. Today it has 67 stores around the country.

In line with the scheme’s #startupmall initiative, to support innovative retail, the team behind hit CBeebies show ‘Messy Goes to OKIDO’ has extended the lease for its hugely successful pop-up shop and workshop zone ‘The World of OKIDO’, which will stay open in Kings Mall throughout the summer holidays. A full list of workshops can be viewed here.

Okido is the latest in a run of pop-up retail operations at Kings Mall that has included Made in Hammersmith and Fulham, They Made This, Birdsong, and BRICK Magazine. The brands have been invited to trade at the centre to trial their ideas in a busy retail setting without having to commit to a long-term lease.

Elsewhere, international chains have also been investing in improving their shops. Danish variety store Flying Tiger has completed a refresh of its store, bringing it in line with the new look and feel of the shopping centre. Meanwhile American sportswear and footwear retailer Footlocker has extended the lease on its 3,300 sq ft store by another five years. As part of this lease extension, the retailer will install a double-height shopfront – in line with other brands in the centre – as well as carrying out a major internal refit, illustrating its commitment to the scheme. They have already been in contact with contract glazing specialists to assist them in this project.

Olu Johnson, Lidl GB’s Regional Head of Property, commented: “We are delighted to be opening a new store in Hammersmith, which marks another milestone in our ambitious store expansion programme. We’ve seen incredible demand for Lidl stores across the country and look forward to offering our quality products and incredible value to shoppers in and around Hammersmith.”

Ian Walters, Managing Director of Retail and Business Banking at Metro Bank, added: “As the revolution in British banking, we’re excited to be coming to Hammersmith. We’re committed to bringing amazing customer service to local residents and businesses in the area.”

Andrew Proctor, Kings Mall Centre Manager, commented: “Lidl and Metro Bank are huge high street names and are certain to be a big hit with our customers, so we are delighted to welcome them to Kings Mall and it will be exciting to see the improvements in the Flying Tiger and Footlocker stores too.

“Along with big national names, we are also passionate about supporting new retail ideas so OKIDO’s decision to extend their stay at the centre is music to our ears, allowing this increasingly popular family brand to entertain the children of Hammersmith throughout the summer holidays.”