Shoppers across Britain are paying attention.
Britain has a new retail standard-bearer. The SCEPTRE judges have named Silverburn in Glasgow their Retail Destination of the Year for 2025, signalling a shift in where people spend their time and money. The accolade rewards performance, ambition and momentum, not just scale.
What the award means for you
SCEPTRE’s annual awards carry weight with retailers and landlords because they benchmark service, tenant mix and long-term thinking. When a centre takes the title, it usually means better choice, sharper service and a calendar packed with reasons to visit. For shoppers, that translates into smoother journeys, fuller shelves and more to do once the shopping bags fill up.
Silverburn recorded one million more visits year-on-year and added 24 shops plus 10 kiosks in just 18 months.
The judges pointed to sustained growth and a clear plan. In plain terms, the centre brought in brands people asked for, refreshed its leisure line-up, and kept community links strong. That combination tends to lift dwell time and spend, which means more reasons to keep investing in the experience.
Meet the winner: Silverburn, Pollok, Glasgow
Silverburn opened in 2007 on Glasgow’s southwest side and now stretches to around one million square feet. Inside, more than 100 stores sit alongside restaurants, cafés, independent boutiques and leisure anchors. The site works as an all-day destination: you can shop, grab a late lunch, then roll into an evening activity without crossing the car park.
New names and local flavour
Recent arrivals reveal why the centre’s momentum stood out. Silverburn has combined crowd-pulling global brands with playful openings aimed at families and younger shoppers, while still giving space to smaller operators.
- Scotland’s first Haribo shop adds a nostalgic lure with pick ’n’ mix theatre.
- Scotland’s largest Zara upgrades fashion choice and stock depth across womenswear, menswear and kids’ ranges.
- Glasgow’s first Bershka and Pull & Bear bring fresh mid-market fashion for teens and twenty-somethings.
- A King Pins bowling alley pushes the centre further into evening and rainy-day plans.
That mix drives repeat visits. A family might come for bowling and stay for dinner. Students swing by for fast-fashion drops. Weekday mornings catch local residents topping up on essentials. Each audience reinforces the other.
The numbers behind the crown
Two figures explain the win: footfall and openings. An extra one million visits year-on-year signals regained confidence and a wider catchment. Twenty-four new stores and ten kiosks in the last 18 months show conviction from retailers who still pick sites carefully. Pair those with the sheer scale of the centre and you see why judges marked Silverburn out as a leader.
One million square feet, 100+ retailers, and a pipeline of openings: the ingredients of a destination that keeps moving.
The shortlist underlines the level of competition. From big southern powerhouses to compact urban hubs, Britain’s best centres now compete on service, events and sustainability as much as on square footage.
| Destination | Where | 2025 status | Notable focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silverburn | Pollok, Glasgow | Winner | Rapid growth, fresh brands, strong leisure |
| Victoria Leeds | Leeds | Runner-up | Premium city-centre fashion and dining |
| Bluewater | Kent | Highly commended | Sustainability initiatives and large-format retail |
| Trinity Walk | Wakefield | Shortlisted | Community-centred convenience and fashion |
| Stamford Quarter | Altrincham | Shortlisted | Town-centre regeneration with independents |
How Silverburn pulled ahead
The centre leaned into a simple strategy: keep the experience lively, keep the tenant mix relevant, and keep the doors open to local jobs and partnerships. Major brands arrived. A leisure anchor broadened the evening offer. Smaller kiosks filled gaps quickly, bringing novelty and flexibility to underused corners. Events and seasonal pop-ups gave repeat visitors fresh reasons to return.
Judges praised a strategic refresh that lifted results to record levels and strengthened the centre’s resilience.
Resilience matters. Retail has had a rough ride through lockdowns, supply disruption and inflation. Centres that adapt faster lock in tenants and reassure shoppers that it’s worth making the trip. The result is a virtuous cycle: fuller units, better energy on the mall floors, and tenants that invest in fit‑outs and staff.
Planning a visit
When to go and how to get there
Silverburn sits in southwest Glasgow with road links that suit weekend trips and after-work visits. Public transport options serve the area, while on-site parking supports big shops and family outings. Peak times bring a lively atmosphere; midweek mornings suit those who prefer quieter aisles.
- Arrive early on Saturdays if you want easier parking and first pick of new drops.
- Check brand opening hours around bank holidays, as trading times can vary by store.
- Plan a two-stage trip: fashion and essentials first, then a sit-down break before leisure.
- Set a budget and use retailer apps for price alerts on big-ticket wardrobes.
What you will notice on the day
Big-name fascias sit next to smaller, fast-moving kiosks. Wayfinding is clear and families move easily between fashion, food and activities. The newer leisure spaces soak up evening footfall, which helps keep the atmosphere steady after the school run and the office rush.
What it means for high streets and rivals
Britain’s retail map keeps shifting. Out-of-town giants compete with renewed city-centre districts that fold heritage buildings into glossy arcades. Sustainability earns judges’ attention, as Bluewater’s commendation shows, and leisure continues to blur lines between shopping and entertainment. Winners keep choice broad and keep programming lively. Runners-up prove that scale is not the only path; curation and service also move the needle.
A quick comparison for shoppers
Live in or near Glasgow and want big-brand fashion with an easy day-out plan? Silverburn now looks like the most balanced bet in Scotland. Based in Yorkshire and prefer a city vibe? Victoria Leeds delivers premium labels in a walkable setting. In the South East, Bluewater remains a heavyweight with deep choice and a growing green agenda.
Smart ways to make the most of a trip
Stack benefits where you can. Sign up for loyalty schemes, but set a limit and cash out rewards on planned purchases, not impulse grabs. If you plan a wardrobe refresh, map your route across the centre to avoid backtracking; that saves time and keeps tired kids on side. For bigger buys, photograph care labels and codes in-store and compare prices across retailer apps while you take a coffee break. Many brands price-match within a short window.
Think about total trip cost. Petrol, parking and lunch add up, yet a well-planned visit can still beat multiple smaller trips. If you shop for a family, batch categories: school shoes in one visit, outerwear in the next. Silverburn’s growing leisure offer helps pace those errands, turning a necessary shop into a day you actually look forward to.
Silverburn taking the crown makes sense—mix of brands + leisure is spot on. Haribo + King Pins = guaranteed kid bribery. I’m definitly visiting this winter.