6/9/2026
M The Galleries, Washington secures five lettings as Peacocks prepares to open
"The pace of lettings here reflects the strategy we are running at M The Galleries. Occupiers are upsizing, footfall is climbing and established brands are committing to the scheme. We are letting space to tenants who are trading well and investing in their long-term position here, and we have further deals in the pipeline as we build on this momentum."
Simon Eatough, Director at LCP UK, part of M Core
M The Galleries in Washington has completed five lettings and upsizes since the start of 2026, capped by the arrival of value fashion retailer Peacocks, which opens an 11,095 sq ft store on Thursday 11th June. The run of deals has reinforced the centre's retail mix and lifted footfall across the largest town centre in the City of Sunderland.
Washington sits at the heart of the City of Sunderland and draws from a catchment spanning Sunderland, Newcastle and Durham, supported by direct road links across the region.
Recent deals at the scheme:
- Mobile Phone Essentials upsized into Units 61 to 62, completed on 23rd January and occupies 455 sq ft.
- Alex Barbers expanded into Unit 18 (1,071 sq ft), taking occupation on 23rd March.
- The Works upsized into a 2,760 sq ft unit across Units 71b to 72, completed on 27th April.
- Baytree Interiors took Units 1a/b, totalling 2,748 sq ft, opened on the 16th May with a range of furniture, lighting and home accessories.
- Peacocks opens an 11,095 sq ft store at Unit 60a on Thursday 11th June, with a launch event led by television personality Charlotte Crosby.
Monthly footfall rose 19% year on year against 2025. The leasing activity is weighted towards occupiers taking larger space, with three of the five deals representing upsizes or expansions.
Sharron Lamb, Retail Director at Peacocks, said: "We are so excited to welcome shoppers to our new store in Washington. With our new summer collections for all the family, shoppers can be sure to get everything they need to enjoy the new season at Peacocks."
The recent leasing activity highlights both new and existing occupiers choosing to invest in larger space, reflecting improving trading conditions and the centre’s growing appeal among retailers.
Simon Eatough, Director at LCP UK, part of M Core, commented:
"The pace of lettings here reflects the strategy we are running at M The Galleries. Occupiers are upsizing, footfall is climbing and established brands are committing to the scheme. We are letting space to tenants who are trading well and investing in their long-term position here, and we have further deals in the pipeline as we build on this momentum."
With over 125 retailers, more than 2,500 free parking spaces and ranking among the UK’s top 50 performing shopping centres (Trevor Woods Associates), M The Galleries presents a compelling opportunity for occupiers.
Sophie Faulkner, Associate Legal Director (UK) at LCP UK, part of M Core, completed these transactions on behalf of the landlord.
"The pace of lettings here reflects the strategy we are running at M The Galleries. Occupiers are upsizing, footfall is climbing and established brands are committing to the scheme. We are letting space to tenants who are trading well and investing in their long-term position here, and we have further deals in the pipeline as we build on this momentum."
Simon Eatough, Director at LCP UK, part of M Core
