Delivering the next generation of Mamas & Papas retail stores
For 40 years, Mamas & Papas has been helping growing families on their journey through parenthood. In 2025, the brand opened its new flagship store in Manchester – marking the start of a new chapter for the business. Working to extremely tight timescales, we brought together commercial and construction expertise to help deliver their vision for a new concept store at pace.
A passion for parenting
In 2019, amid Brexit uncertainty and what the British Retail Consortium described as ‘the worst year on record for UK retail,’ Mamas & Papas, like many other high street brands, came under significant pressure.
But the business adapted and in 2025 it announced plans to launch a flagship store at Manchester’s Trafford Centre. Designed to buck the trend, reflect modern shopping habits and increase footfall, this concept space reimagined the in-store experience as immersive and personalised – with interactive displays, expert advice for new parents and car seat consultations.
Through our longstanding relationship with Mamas & Papas’ legal counsel, we advised on the construction aspects of the project, building on our experience supporting other major retail brands. But with typical timings compressed from months to weeks, and a commercial environment that amplified complexity, the heat was on. After all, this fit-out would become a blueprint for the retailer’s future store rollout – and central to the brand’s next phase.
Maintaining momentum
This flagship needed plain sailing – but pace was equally critical. The lease on Mamas & Papas’ existing Trafford Centre unit was coming to an end, while the opening date for the new store was fast approaching. The longer the gap between closing the old unit and unveiling the new, the greater the commercial impact.
At the same time, the availability of contractors and their fit-out schedules compressed timings even further. Undertaking construction works within an operational environment such as the Trafford Centre added another layer of complexity.
Balancing speed and risk
Typically, contract negotiations of this nature last between three and four months. We had four weeks. Working closely across teams and workstreams, we moved quickly to secure the building contract terms. After formal instruction in March, we signed a Letter of Intent within just two weeks that allowed preliminary works to begin. This was a vital first step towards meeting the impending deadline.
Alongside the building contract itself, Mamas & Papas also had relevant obligations as a Trafford Centre tenant. So our agreement needed careful structuring to consider these obligations – and protect our client from risks arising from the works they were contracting out that could impact on its lease arrangements. By delivering clear, succinct, commercially focused advice, we helped our client make swift decisions and maintain vital momentum at every stage.
Thinking long term
Risks and rewards. Precision and pace. Balance was central to the success of this project. In the short-term, Mamas & Papas Ltd secured a fair, robust contract that protected both parties – retailer and contractor – across payment terms, obligations and limitations on liability for potential negligent claims. Confident in its contractual position, our client was able to focus on delivering its concept store to deadline. With minimal time between one store closing and the flagship opening, we ensured Mamas & Papas’ commercial interests were protected. Meanwhile, the new space reinforced the brand’s passion for parenting through one-to-one consultancy services and a welcoming environment.
This opening marked an important milestone for Mamas & Papas, and the beginning of an ongoing partnership with Walker Morris. Following the Trafford Centre launch, we have supported the team on construction matters relating to the Southampton store fit out, with additional Real Estate advice for the Leeds, Birstall store.
Four-week
contract turnaround
60
UK stores
