Cotswold Designer Outlet has become a major retail and leisure destination in Gloucestershire. Located near Tewkesbury, close to Junction 9 of the M5 and the A46, the centre brings together fashion, sportswear, beauty, footwear, homeware and dining in one attractive setting.
The official brand name is Cotswolds Designer Outlet, although many people use Cotswold Designer Outlet when referring to the centre. It officially opened on 16 July 2025 and was designed to reflect the traditional character of Cotswolds towns and villages. Its mix of major brands, free parking, family facilities, rail connections and restaurants makes it suitable for local residents, tourists and travellers passing through Gloucestershire.
Cotswold Designer Outlet Overview
The outlet is based at Platinum Drive, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 7FY, United Kingdom. Its position near the motorway gives it strong access from Birmingham, Bristol, Cheltenham, Gloucester and the wider South West. The first phase covers about 136,000 square feet and includes more than 50 shops, restaurants and cafés. The development was built as an open-air shopping destination rather than a traditional enclosed mall.
The company’s LinkedIn presence places it in the retail industry, with its headquarters in Ashchurch, Tewkesbury. It states that the business was founded in 2025 and has a company size of 11–50 employees. This figure relates to the main outlet organisation rather than every worker employed by individual brands.
History of Cotswold Designer Outlet
The story of the development began several years before its 2025 opening. Robert Hitchins Ltd first brought forward plans for a major designer outlet development near Tewkesbury. Early plans were presented in 2019, with the aim of creating a premium retail destination at the gateway to the Cotswolds.
In 2021, Realm was appointed to help secure brands and manage the future centre. Realm later became part of Multi Corporation and now operates as Multi-Realm. Construction of Phase 1 began in November 2023. Bouygues UK worked as the main contractor, while Roberts Limbrick designed the buildings and public areas. The centre finally welcomed customers on 16 July 2025.
Who Owns Cotswold Designer Outlet?
Robert Hitchins Ltd owns and developed the shopping destination. The company is an established property business with experience in strategic land, commercial property and large-scale development. It played the central role in bringing the outlet from planning to completion. There is no individual founder in the same way a start-up business might have one. Robert Hitchins Ltd is best described as the creator, owner and developer of the destination.
Who Manages the Outlet?
Multi-Realm manages Cotswolds Designer Outlet. Its work includes leasing, asset management, marketing, operations and support for the brands trading at the centre. This arrangement allows Robert Hitchins Ltd to remain the property owner while Multi-Realm handles day-to-day retail management and commercial activity.
CEO and Senior Leadership
Cotswold Designer Outlet does not have a separate chief executive dedicated only to the centre. The senior on-site leader is Adrian Field, Centre Manager. He leads the management team and oversees the daily running of the destination. Other senior staff have included Paul Lacey, Operations Manager, and Hannah Swithenbank, Marketing and Engagement Manager. At ownership level, Jeremy Hitchins serves as Managing Director of Robert Hitchins Group. Simon Tothill is Property and Development Director. At Multi-Realm, Dan Mason serves as Managing Director.
Cotswold Designer Outlet Quick Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Cotswolds Designer Outlet |
| Common Name | Cotswold Designer Outlet |
| Type | Premium outlet shopping centre |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 2025 |
| Opening Date | 16 July 2025 |
| Owner & Developer | Robert Hitchins Ltd |
| Management | Multi-Realm |
| Centre Manager | Adrian Field |
| Location | Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England |
| Address | Platinum Drive, Tewkesbury, GL20 7FY |
| Website | cotswoldsdesigneroutlet.com |
| Stores | More than 50 |
| Parking | More than 1,000 free spaces |
| EV Chargers | 20 charging points |
| Google Rating | 4.1/5 from 1,043 reviews |
| Expansion | Phase 2 planned with 20–25 more stores |
Shops at Cotswold Designer Outlet
One of the main attractions is its wide range of recognised brands. Fashion names include BOSS, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s, Reiss, GUESS, Hobbs, French Connection, Crew Clothing, Ben Sherman and Jack & Jones. Sports and outdoor shoppers can find brands such as adidas, PUMA, Under Armour, The North Face, Timberland, Skechers, Merrell, Regatta, Mountain Warehouse and Sweaty Betty. Beauty and personal care choices include Rituals, Molton Brown, The Body Shop, The Cosmetics Company Store and The Perfume Shop.
Home and lifestyle brands include ProCook, Tefal, Denby, Bedeck and Yankee Candle. Other popular names include M&S Outlet, Radley, Dune, Samsonite, Sunglass Hut, Pavers, Saltrock, Weird Fish and Holland & Barrett. By July 2026, Phase 1 had reached full occupancy after Molton Brown took the final available unit.
Food and Drink Choices
The centre also has a strong food and drink offer. Visitors can choose from Five Guys, wagamama, Zizzi, Pret A Manger, Caffè Nero, 200 Degrees and KNEAD Bakery. Lindt and Cadbury provide extra choices for shoppers looking for chocolates and gifts. The range of cafés and restaurants makes the centre suitable for longer visits rather than quick shopping trips.
Cotswold Designer Outlet Opening Hours
Trading hours generally run from morning until evening. Monday to Friday usually begins at 9:30 am, while Saturday opening starts slightly earlier. Sunday trading is shorter due to UK retail rules. Some individual shops and restaurants can operate different hours, especially on Sundays, public holidays and special event days. Visitors who plan to shop at a specific store may wish to check its opening time before travelling.
Club Cotswolds App
The free Club Cotswolds app launched in January 2026. It gives members access to selected discounts, special promotions, event benefits, competitions and centre guidance. Some stores provide extra savings for members, which can make the app useful for regular visitors. The digital membership programme also helps the outlet build stronger connections with customers beyond individual shopping trips.
Parking and Transport
The location is one of the centre’s strongest advantages. Drivers can reach it easily from Junction 9 of the M5 and the A46. More than 1,000 free parking spaces are available. Commercial material places total parking capacity at about 1,140 spaces. Facilities include accessible parking, parent-and-child bays, coach spaces and 20 electric vehicle charging points.
Train and Bus Connections
Ashchurch for Tewkesbury railway station is about 500 metres from the outlet. The walk normally takes roughly seven minutes. The station connects the area with destinations on the Bristol and Birmingham rail corridor. Local bus services also operate near the centre. A dedicated shuttle service links Cotswolds Designer Outlet with Ashchurch for Tewkesbury station and Tewkesbury town centre. This gives people an alternative to travelling by car.
Family Facilities at Cotswold Designer Outlet
The centre was designed to offer more than shops. Families can use indoor and outdoor children’s play areas, baby-changing facilities and feeding spaces. Plenty of seating is available throughout the open-air development, allowing visitors to stop and rest between stores. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the main public spaces, while many individual stores also welcome dogs. Assistance dogs are permitted more widely throughout the centre.
Accessibility
Accessibility is an important part of the visitor experience. Facilities include accessible parking, mobility support and a quiet room. The centre also operates a weekly Quiet Hour, offering a calmer environment with reduced activity for visitors who prefer a less busy shopping experience.
Architecture and Design
Roberts Limbrick designed the outlet with inspiration from the towns and villages of the Cotswolds. The development uses features such as stone, brick, slate, pitched roofs and pedestrian streets. Instead of creating one large indoor building, the designers created separate structures that give the centre the feeling of a small village. This style helps Cotswolds Designer Outlet stand apart from many modern shopping centres.
Sustainability and Environmental Approach
The outlet has placed strong attention on environmental responsibility. Local materials and suppliers have been used where practical, helping to support nearby businesses while reducing transport distances. Native planting and wildflowers have been introduced to support wildlife and pollinators. The centre has also stated that waste is diverted from landfill. Furniture reuse before opening helped reduce unnecessary waste, while electric vehicle charging points encourage lower-emission travel. Public transport connections and the shuttle bus also give visitors more travel choices.
Jobs and Economic Importance
The development has created a significant number of employment opportunities in Gloucestershire. Early plans expected hundreds of jobs during construction and hundreds more once the centre opened. By the first anniversary, more than 600 permanent positions had been connected with the destination and its tenant businesses. These roles cover retail, hospitality, customer service, management, maintenance and operations. The centre also attracts visitors who may spend money in Tewkesbury and other nearby areas, supporting the wider local economy.
Cotswold Designer Outlet Phase 2
Further expansion is planned. Phase 2 is expected to add about 50,000 square feet of extra retail space. Plans could bring roughly 20 to 25 additional stores, taking the full destination towards about 188,000 square feet and up to 75 shops. Parking is also set to increase. Approval has been given for a further 607-space car park to support the next stage of development. Phase 2 could strengthen the centre’s position as one of the leading outlet shopping destinations in the region.
Why Cotswold Designer Outlet Stands Out
The centre combines premium retail with convenient travel connections and a design influenced by the Cotswolds. Visitors have access to fashion, sport, beauty, homeware, restaurants, family facilities and free parking in one location. Its position close to the M5 makes it attractive to both local shoppers and people travelling between major cities. The mix of outlet prices and recognised brands also gives shoppers the chance to buy well-known products at reduced prices.
Final Thoughts
Cotswold Designer Outlet has developed into an important shopping and leisure destination since opening in July 2025. Robert Hitchins Ltd owns and developed the centre, while Multi-Realm manages its retail operations. Adrian Field leads the on-site team as Centre Manager. More than 50 brands, a broad food offer, free parking, public transport access, family facilities and Cotswolds-inspired architecture give the destination a strong identity. With Phase 2 planned to bring more stores and additional parking, the centre still has considerable room for future growth.
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