The Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo is set to open its first Sussex store at Brighton’s Churchill Square shopping centre, according to planning documents submitted to the local authority.
The global clothing brand has submitted applications to Brighton & Hove City Council for new signage and internal alterations at Units 1-4 of the shopping centre. The site was previously home to the flagship Topshop and Topman store, occupying a prominent position across both the upper and lower malls before its closure.
The move marks a significant expansion for Uniqlo, which currently operates primarily in London and a handful of other major UK cities. This will be the retailer’s first location in the Sussex region, making it a new destination for shoppers across West Sussex who currently have to travel to the capital to visit a physical branch.
Regional shopping destination
Churchill Square remains the primary regional shopping hub for the coastal area. For residents in Bognor Regis and surrounding towns, the centre is accessible via direct rail services to Brighton, with travel times typically taking around 50 minutes.
The arrival of Uniqlo is one of the most significant brand additions to the centre since it was acquired by Ingka Centres in 2023. Ingka Centres is the shopping centre arm of the Ingka Group, which also owns the majority of IKEA stores globally. The acquisition of the mall led to the opening of a new IKEA “city store” in the former Debenhams unit, part of a wider strategy to revitalise the shopping centre.
Planning and opening details
The submitted planning applications (reference BH2024/02319) focus on the branding and layout of the former Topshop unit. The documents include requests for the installation of the brand’s distinctive red and white square logo on the mall frontage.
The new store is expected to carry the retailer’s full “LifeWear” range, which includes casual clothing for men, women, and children, as well as its popular thermal and lightweight jacket lines.
While the planning applications confirm the brand’s intent to occupy the site, an official opening date has not yet been announced. Ingka Centres has been approached for comment regarding the timeline for the development and when shoppers can expect the doors to open. Details regarding the number of jobs the new flagship store will create are also expected to be confirmed once the internal fit-out progresses.