Chain's plan for new store at Teesside Park shelved after months of uncertainty over former H&M unit

Tessuti's plan for a new store at Teesside Park has been shelved.

Teesside Live can reveal that the luxury fashion chain will no longer be opening at the shopping park. The Chester-based retailer - known for stocking premium brands such as Hugo Boss, Emporio Armani, and Billionaire Boys Club - was first announced to be moving into the former H&M unit back in October 2022.

However, a question mark has remained over the project in the last year, notably after the unit was labelled as 'to let' on park plans in May. Then, in December, plans were green-lit to split Unit 21A into three separate stores - with plans by owner British Land being updated to state the site was "under offer."

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Frasers has not shared any further updates on the planned Tessuti store since the initial opening announcement. However, the firm remains set to open another one of its brands, Flannels, in the current Sports Direct unit, as previously announced here.

Meanwhile, Sports Direct is set to move to a brand new 40,000sq ft home, featuring both a GAME and Evans Cycles, meaning it will double in size. While its new location at the park has yet to be confirmed, plans now pin-point the Sports Direct logo on the former Argos, Laura Ashley, USC, and MenKind stores, and say it is "coming soon."

An opening date for the two stores was initially scheduled for late 2024 - however, Teesside Live understands they would open late 2024 or early 2025. A Teesside Park spokesperson said there was nothing further to add at this stage regarding the unit.

Teesside Park is set for another big year ahead, having recently relaunched Hollywood Bowl's new lanes and mini-golf course as well as opening the new Nike Unite in the former New Look shop. Works are also continuing on Primark, which is set to open in just a matter of weeks.