Britain’s 2025 retail crown goes to Glasgow’s Silverburn : 1m shoppers and 24 new stores for you

After months of footfall data, leasing deals and mystery shopping, the sector’s biggest accolade has a new name on it. The SCEPTRE jury has singled out a Glasgow destination that mixed bold retail signings with leisure and community focus, and the result is reshaping where people spend their weekends.

The headline you care about

Silverburn Shopping Centre in Pollok, Glasgow, has been named SCEPTRE’s Retail Destination of the Year for 2025.

Opened in 2007 on the city’s southwest side, Silverburn spans roughly one million square feet. The site hosts more than 100 stores alongside cafés, restaurants, independents and leisure. Over the last 18 months, management pushed through a refresh that paired new brands with entertainment and everyday convenience. Shoppers responded.

Year-to-date, Silverburn has welcomed one million more visitors than at the same time last year. Leasing momentum has been brisk too: 24 new stores and 10 kiosks opened across the last 18 months, tightening occupancy and widening the mix.

What tipped the scales

Judges highlighted a strategic shift that blended big names with firsts for Scotland and firsts for Glasgow. That approach delivered record results and a reputation for resilience in a tough trading climate.

• Scotland’s first Haribo shop brought novelty, gifting and family traffic.
• Scotland’s largest Zara set a fashion anchor with scale and draw.
• Glasgow’s first Bershka and Pull & Bear targeted younger shoppers.
• King Pins bowling added reasons to linger and boosted evening footfall.

More visits, fresh brands and credible leisure gave Silverburn breadth, while the data showed depth: one million additional shoppers year-on-year.

The numbers at a glance

Who missed out—and why that still matters

The runner-up spot went to Victoria, Leeds, showing how city-centre regeneration can rival out-of-town scale. Other shortlisted names included Bluewater in Kent, praised for sustainability work, Trinity Walk in Wakefield and Stamford Quarter in Altrincham. Each one demonstrated a distinct route: green targets at Bluewater, urban community focus in Altrincham, and regional pull at Trinity Walk.

Competition at this level helps shoppers and retailers. Centres sharpen their tenant mix, improve wayfinding, upgrade amenities and invest in events. Good ideas spread fast across the network.

Inside Silverburn’s playbook

Silverburn’s team doubled down on a simple formula. Secure high-impact fascias, plug gaps with relevant mid-market brands, and anchor the day out with leisure. The result improved dwell time, broadened appeal and supported tenants with stronger all-day trade. Footfall growth was not a one-off spike; it came alongside sustained leasing and visible improvements to the offer.

Record-breaking performance came from consistency: strong signings, sharper experiences and a mix that works on weekdays and weekends.

What this means for you

Shoppers get more choice, more reasons to stay, and better value through competition between brands under one roof. Families gain a fuller day with fashion, quick bites and activities in one trip. Late-day options grow as leisure extends trading beyond the standard retail window.

For Glasgow, the uplift supports jobs and local supply chains. Management has put community value on the agenda, backing local employment and positioning the site as a contributor to the city’s growth rather than a standalone mall on the edge of town.

Planning a smarter visit

• Time your trip for quieter aisles. Weekday mornings usually beat peak weekend surges.
• Pair errands with leisure. Bowling or a coffee stop can stagger queues at popular brands.
• Use anchor stores strategically. Hit Zara early, then move to smaller boutiques.
• Set a budget. Large destinations reward planning, and sales can be tempting.

How the award is judged

SCEPTRE’s Retail Destination of the Year recognises performance and management quality. Judges look at footfall trends, commercial results, tenant mix, customer experience and the ability to adapt. Site visits, data submissions and evidence of transformation weigh heavily. This year, the panel cited Silverburn’s momentum across the last 18 months and its shift towards a more rounded retail-leisure proposition.

Why the details count

Haribo delivers novelty and repeat gifting. Zara’s scale sets a fashion magnet. Bershka and Pull & Bear capture younger budgets. Bowling pushes evening activity. Together, they diversify spend across the day and reduce reliance on any single category. That reduces risk for the centre and its tenants.

What to watch next

Expect more leisure and culture blended into retail space, with mid-size centres copying the model. Data-led leasing will continue. Operators will chase first-to-market brands that cut through locally. Sustainability pilots at rivals will pressure others to cut energy use and waste, not just talk about it.

For shoppers, the practical upside is simple: more choice in one place, and stronger competition on price and service. For retailers, higher footfall helps justify investment in larger formats, better stock and faster click-and-collect. For cities, a thriving destination can lift surrounding districts with improved transport demand and spin-off trade.

If you are weighing a trip, build in time to navigate the full offer. A million square feet can swallow a short visit. Line up a route that matches your priorities—big-box fashion first, then speciality, then leisure. That approach mirrors how the best centres now think: clear anchors up front, reasons to linger after.