2025 was a year of big moves at Clearhill, with new ideas, new spaces, and new ways of working that are shaping the future of leisure retail.
For the first time, we’ve worked with a three-year strategic vision, a roadmap that is reshaping our culture, accelerating innovation, and creating better experiences for shopping centres, retailers, and the families they serve.
A fresh look for Clearhill
One of the most visible changes this year was our rebrand. In August, we brought our family of sub-brands – FunHub, Fun Gifting, and Fun Wellness – together under a unified identity.
This wasn’t just about a logo. It was about clarity: who we are, what we stand for, and how we show up for our partners.
The results speak for themselves:
- Redesigned FunHub zones
- Improved Fun Gifting kiosks
- More premium Fun Wellness spaces
Partners say the new look reflects the quality of service they experience daily. Inside the company, it has also raised the bar for proposals, collaboration, and team performance.
Building stronger partnerships
This year, we focused on improving communication and support for our partners. Key initiatives included:
- Launching our first bimonthly customer newsletter to share insights, updates, and thought leadership.
- Rolling out HubSpot, our AI-powered CRM, for faster, more personalised support.
- Hosting our first Fun Gifting webinar, with more than 30 partners joining to discuss real challenges, reinforcing the importance of trust in long-term partnerships.
Innovation across the business
FunHub
- Expanded to 16 new shopping destinations and opened our first full retail outlet in Redditch.
- Introduced new concepts such as FunHub Surprise and phone case printing.
- Curating vibrant, integrated on-the-mall platforms that serve as entertainment anchors – driving footfall and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Fun Gifting
- Expanded across leading UK and Irish schemes, including Blanchardstown, Dundrum, Swords Pavilions, Foyleside, Crescent, St James, and Highcross.
- Launched Click & Collect functionality.
Fun Wellness
- Added 13 new locations, including our first step into the transport sector with Translink
- Developed a premium chair and housing concept for top-tier retail and travel environments, set to launch in early 2026
A culture of continuous improvement
Behind the scenes, our Lean culture continues to thrive. Teams completed more than 1,000 improvements, double our original target, enhancing processes and the customer experience.
Viva Engage has connected nationwide teams, improving collaboration, knowledge sharing, and belonging. Our new Talent & Culture department has reshaped onboarding, manager development, and internal communication, ensuring our people feel confident and supported.
Setting the stage for growth
This year has been about more than new concepts. We’ve been building the structure, culture, and capability to scale.
Our distributed leadership model strengthens credibility and sets us up for long-term success. The newly refurbished HQ brings teams together in a space that reflects our energy, ambition, and collaboration.
What’s next for 2026
Momentum is on our side. Next year, we will:
- Expand automated retail concepts within Fun Gifting
- Roll out enhanced FunHub designs
- Launch the premium Fun Wellness range
- Invest in more innovation and add new, exciting products to our portfolio
- A self-service customer portal, giving partners instant access to payment information and reports
With clearer processes, stronger teams, and a sharper brand, we are in our best position yet to help partners reimagine their spaces and shape the next era of leisure retail.
Retail is changing fast, but the opportunity is huge. When convenience, entertainment, wellbeing, and meaningful interaction come together, shopping centres become more than destinations; they become places people want to return to.
If you are a shopping centre or retail partner ready to elevate your customer experience in 2026, let’s connect and explore what we can build together.
Thank you,
John McAreavey
Clearhill Director
About Clearhill
Clearhill is a market leader in shopping centre leisure, delivering over 30 years of expertise in experiential entertainment, gifting, and wellness solutions. As a powerful ecosystem of retailtainment, Clearhill’s innovative brands FunHub, Fun Gifting, and Fun Wellness work together to transform retail spaces into vibrant lifestyle destinations, enhancing visitor engagement, dwell time, and community well-being.
For more information, visit www.clearhill.com or call +44 (028) 4062 2028 to speak to a member of the Clearhill team.
