Our Story

Innovative,
agile and
experienced.

We are committed to creating inspiring places
for tomorrow’s communities by harnessing wisdom,
curiosity and powerful partnerships.

“Milligan take standard regen projects and create an opportunity that everyone wants in on – story telling… selling the dream.”*

21 years in the making

Over 21 years ago, John Milligan started Milligan Retail. Surrounded by a ‘best in the business’ team and an impressive black book, Milligan Retail’s mission was simple – to create places where people were inspired to shop.

At the company’s core, were two guiding principles.

1) A focus on the end customer and community

2) creating long-term, sustainable value.

Since then, we’ve partnered with major institutions, large private equity houses and local authorities to develop inspiring places, providing lasting value for both communities and investors.

In all our projects, we have aligned our interests with our partners, working closely with their teams to push boundaries with creativity and innovation

We have conceived, developed, and operated mixed-use destinations, regeneration projects, retail centres, leisure experiences, travel hubs and airports, iconic markets and multi-tenure living communities across the UK and Europe.

Over time, we’ve shifted our specialisms and whilst we always recognise retail and leisure as being key catalysis for regeneration and placemaking, our expertise has evolved helping us become one of the most unique developers in UK. Our focus on the customer and community and dedication to creation of long-term value remains as critical as ever as we make more and more decisions through the ESG lens and look to the future of the places we live, work and play,

Currently, we work with Local Authorities on Urban Regeneration, with Shopping Centre owners on repurposing and redevelopment, and with Strategic Partners on innovative and future-led projects.

“Milligan take full ownership of issues – especially the difficult detailed issues and bring it to a decent, collaborative and comprehensive result.”*

*feedback from our independent perception survey 2021

Revitalising and
regenerating.

Our team has over 20 years of mixed-use development expertise which powers our ability to transform challenged commercial places.

Inspiring and
innovating.

We develop inspiring places in an environmentally sustainable way, providing lasting value for communities and investors by pushing boundaries, being creative, innovative and collaborative. We create places where communities and business can thrive.

Creating and
collaborating.

We work with carefully chosen partners and likeminded brands to bring together the best in specialist knowledge, creating something unique and inspirational at every destination we develop.

Our
approach

Our world has changed. In the context of changing values and rapidly shifting dynamics between consumer and brand, tenant and landlord, we believe in balancing the needs of people and planet with profit and value for stakeholders and investors.

Through research, listening, learning and a deep understanding of the customer, we craft the critical elements and convene the best specialists required for each place to reach its full potential.

Never afraid to buck the trend or go against industry dialogue to challenge lazy and short-term thinking, we move with the market and have an in-depth understanding of values for landlords, tenants, customers and communities, identifying opportunities where we can make a long-term, sustainable difference.