John Lewis to open new store in Cheltenham
John Lewis is to open a new department store in Cheltenham in 2017.
With a combined investment of over £30 million from John Lewis, BlackRock and Cheltenham Borough Council, the retailer is planning to transform the town’s Beechwood shopping centre into a John Lewis department store.
Tim Harrison, director of store development at John Lewis, said: “Cheltenham has long been a sought-after location for us and we’re delighted to be able to expand our reach to customers across the region for the first time. This new shop will provide more convenient access to our inspiring products and great service, and we’re looking forward to becoming part of the local community.”
Creating up to 250 jobs and offering more than 115,000 square feet of selling space across two floors, the shop will showcase fashion, home and consumer electronics concepts in a contemporary setting.
John Benham, vice president of real estate at Blackrock, said: “This development improves Cheltenham as a shopping destination, increasing footfall within the town centre and encouraging other retailers to the area. At the same time, this ensures the long term viability of the site, creating long-term returns for our investors by improving the building and securing a high quality brand as a tenant.”
