A Swansea-based children's clothing provider, Character.com, opened its first full line physical store on the lower ground floor at the Bentall Centre on Saturday 7 September.

The new store compromises more than 3,000 sq ft in total.

 International real estate advisor Savills advised on the deal, which saw the retailer commit to a five-year lease.

The new store offers a wide range of licensed character merchandise, featuring brands from TV, film, and games, catering to fans of all ages.

It has a variety of clothing, accessories, and toys from franchises such as Disney, Bluey, Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, and more.

The opening was said to form part of the brand's wider UK retail expansion strategy, as it recognises the value of an omnichannel approach for sales.

Savills is assisting with its plans for expansion entailing the opening of three additional stores this year, with further ambitious plans for 2025.

Michael Lockhart, director in Retail at Savills London, said: "We are delighted to have assisted Character.com on the acquisition of their first full line physical store.

"Kingston upon Thames is a thriving, family focused retail destination, making it an ideal strategic location for Character.com's latest store."

He continued: "We look forward to continuing to work with Chracter.com as they embark on the transition from a successful pure play retailer to an omnichannel business, with an exciting acquisition programme lined up over the next 12 to 18 months."

Karen Hewitt, chief of retail & licensing at Character.com, said: "We are thrilled to open our first full-price retail store in the heart of Kingston at the Bentall Centre.

"This is an exciting milestone for Character.com, allowing us to bring our extensive range of beloved character products directly to our customers in a vibrant shopping destination."

She continued: "We look forward to welcoming fans of all ages to experience the fun and magic of their favourite characters in-store.

"This is just the start of our bricks-and-mortar journey, and we are excited to explore more opportunities to expand our physical presence across the UK and look forward to working further with Savills on this exciting journey."

The opening welcomed a visit from a special guest, Chase from PAW Patrol, and provided a range of fun activities.