Major designer outlet packed with top brands opens 50 minutes drive from Birmingham - and it's already buzzing
A new designer outlet has opened just off the M5, under an hour from Birmingham. Here's everything you need to know about this exciting new shopping destination.
Just 54 minutes from Birmingham, a brand new shopping destination has officially opened its doors – and it’s already making waves. The Cotswolds Designer Outlet, located at Tewkesbury just off J9 of the M5, has launched with a lineup of over 50 retailers, including big global names and homegrown favourites.
Shoppers can now browse outlet stores from the likes of BOSS, Calvin Klein, Rituals, and Sweaty Betty, alongside independent stars like Knead bakery and The Patisserie Box.
In total, 52 stores opened on day one, with just one empty unit – intentionally left vacant to host press and VIPs.
Despite a development process spanning over a decade (and a global pandemic in the middle of it), the outlet is launching 98% let – something developers say is almost unheard of in UK retail.
“This is a large and very significant retail opening,” said Simon Tothill, Property & Development Director at Robert Hitchins Ltd, the developer behind the site. “To launch essentially fully let shows real confidence in both the scheme and the location.”
And he’s not exaggerating about the location. The outlet sits just two minutes from the motorway, and a train station on the Birmingham–Bristol line is only a short walk away. That makes it one of the most accessible designer outlets in the country, whether you're coming by car or rail.
The outlet spans 136,000 sq ft and also features children’s play areas, guest services, and modern facilities. It sits next to a 74,000 sq ft Dobbies Garden Centre, which opened two years ago, forming part of a wider destination retail hub.
The buzz doesn’t stop there. Phase 2 is already on the cards, with planning permission approved for another 50,000 sq ft of retail space and 20–25 more brands. That will take the total to over 186,000 sq ft.
With outlet prices, a sharp brand mix, and easy access from Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, the Cotswolds Designer Outlet could fast become a new go-to shopping spot. Whether you’re chasing deals on luxury fashion or grabbing a coffee and pastry in the sunshine, this one’s worth the drive.