This dusk shot of Merry Hill captures the centre as a major commercial anchor in the West Midlands—one that attracts millions of annual visits and maintains a constantly shifting retail mix. Within this environment, our RDM team operates as the connective tissue between leasing strategy, tenant design ambitions and the landlord’s operational requirements.

The illuminated façade reflects the centre’s emphasis on visibility and customer draw, but behind this public face sits a complex web of design submissions, technical approvals and operational constraints. Our remit is to manage this flow: ensuring incoming tenants meet design guidelines, resolving interface issues with neighbouring units, and coordinating with centre management to keep each project aligned with safety, access and compliance standards.

Because Merry Hill continues to refresh its offer—with both independents and national brands frequently entering or refitting—our role is less about isolated stores and more about maintaining continuity across the broader retail ecosystem. This involves steering retailers through the design process, mediating between contractors and the landlord, and safeguarding practical deliverables like services integration, signage consistency and delivery sequencing.

The image serves as a reminder of the scale and pace of the asset—an environment where effective RDM is essential to orderly, high-quality progress.