Merry Hill levels up with Funstation’s 23,700 sq ft concept, it’s biggest and most innovative yet

Merry Hill has announced that Funstation, the UK’s ultimate family entertainment brand, has signed for a 23,700 sq ft location at the top 10 UK super regional centre, as a new anchor leisure operator.

Funstation is set to bring its most impressive flagship venue to the West Midlands destination, ‘Carnival Golf & Games!’, set to launch later this year. The brand-new concept encapsulates all of the best attractions Funstation has to offer, following more than 20 years of success across the UK. At the heart of the space is Carnival Golf, joined by two more themed courses and a signature blend of immersive video, VR games, and, for the first time, Breakout Escape Rooms, transforming the experience into an all-in-one destination for family-friendly fun.

This is the third and final brand to open in the unit previously home to Debenhams, alongside retail giant Harvey Norman and fitness operator XF Gym to create a diverse trio of anchor tenants. The entertainment operator is also joining Merry Hill’s line-up of leisure-focused brands, including a 10-screen ODEON cinema and Hollywood Bowl, which has a footprint of 36,000 sq ft in the recently transformed leisure quarter, boosting footfall to that section of the mall by 26% since opening in 2023.

Alistair Winning, Asset Manager at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, commented: “The signing of Funstation is the final chapter in our extensive regeneration strategy following the closure of Debenhams, adding a third unique operator to the 120,000 sq ft space. Funstation’s commitment is representative of the transformation Merry Hill has undergone recently and continues to drive ahead with in its 40th year, and is a direct response to evolved consumer desire for increased experiential leisure.”

James Miller, CEO at Funstation, added: “With 14 thriving locations across the UK, our new Merry Hill venue represents our largest and most ambitious project yet. We’re pulling out all the stops to create an unforgettable experience combining the best of our brands and activities and we are really excited to anchor the leisure offer. Merry Hill’s scale, energy, and incredible catchment made it the perfect choice for our next level venue.”

The signing of Funstation follows the recent news of M&S’ investment at Merry Hill, bringing its latest store concept to the destination. The new 96,000 sq ft space has been made possible by collaboration between the brand and landlord, and is the latest in a long line of anchor tenants that have upgraded their store experiences at Merry Hill.

JLL, Time Retail Partners, and Font Real Estate represent Merry Hill.

Ends