John Lewis opens first Essex store
John Lewis has expanded into Essex with the opening of a new Chelmsford store.
Part of Chelmsford’s new £150 million Bond Street development, the department store includes 90,000 square feet of selling space over three floors and over 65,000 products.
The shop has the largest beauty hall out of all of John Lewis’s small full-line department stores at 7,900 square feet, with 14 premium beauty counters including M.A.C, Charlotte Tilbury and Nars. Chelmsford will also feature fashion brands such as Ralph Lauren, Whistles, Finery and John Lewis’s new own-brand luxury womenswear label Modern Rarity.
Services offered at the store include a Kuoni travel concession, the retailer’s Home Design Service and a new bar/cafe concept from Benugo.
The retailer said the interior design plays homage to Chelmsford’s heritage as the birthplace of radio. Various references, including On Air signs and microphones, can be found on display throughout the shop.
Laura Rawstron, branch manager at John Lewis Chelmsford, said: “Today marks a very exciting time for John Lewis and we’re delighted to open the doors to our first shop in Essex. It’s one of our most modern shops to date and brings together the very best of John Lewis’ products and services. Our new team of Partners have worked incredibly hard to get us to this stage and I’m very proud of everyone involved. Together with the Bond Street development, this John Lewis shop will create a new retail and leisure offer that ensures Chelmsford has something for everyone.”
The shop, which represents an investment of £18 million by John Lewis, has provided jobs for 300 staff from Chelmsford and the surrounding area.
