Cotswolds Designer Outlet marks one year of construction progress with appointment of centre manager

Highly anticipated new retail destination, Cotswolds Designer Outlet, forges ahead with plans for a spring 2025 opening, by appointing a centre manager.

Tasked with leading its on-site management team, Adrian Field is appointed by the project's developer Robert Hitchins Ltd.

Adrian brings extensive expertise of managing town and city centre destinations, shopping centres and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).

He is expected to apply valuable insights into the leadership of Cotswolds Designer Outlet, drawing on his experience of collaborating with stakeholders, retail and food and beverage brands to help drive investment forward, while also promoting the shopping destination and establishing 'a clear and compelling' customer experience to drive footfall.

Adrian said: 'I’m delighted to join Cotswolds Designer Outlet at such an important milestone in the project programme.

'Living in the region, I’ve been following the project closely and with great interest, and I believe it’s set to play an important role in contributing to the local economy.

'My focus now is on building a skilled, collaborative team to deliver a seamless and memorable launch, and setting the highest standards of guest experience and customer service.

'Success here is all about partnership — that our retail brands, partners and local stakeholders are all working together to create an outstanding shopping and dining destination that’s both aspirational and welcoming and firmly established as part of the region’s tourism appeal.'

Property and development director at Robert Hitchins Ltd, Simon Tothill, added: 'We’re pleased to welcome Adrian to the team; his expertise will be essential in shaping Cotswolds Designer Outlet into a must-visit retail and dining destination, for the region and beyond.'

'Remarkable progress' has been seen at the Tewkesbury site — found off Junction 9 of the M5 — since construction work began a year ago and with only seven months to go, and 82 per cent of retail and food and beverage space committed or in legals, the outlet is expected to create up to 500 new jobs.

Stay up-to-date on Cotswolds Designer Outlet's progress by signing up to the SoGlos Business Newsletter.