John Lewis at Home on track

The countdown is on for John Lewis at home Tamworth as the retailer reveals construction is on track for an autumn opening.

Construction on the shop’s exterior is almost finished, with work on the internal structure now well underway. The car park and display windows are progressing well and the £7 million development is now moving at pace.

Once construction is complete, the shop will be handed over to the John Lewis occupation team. Helped by 120 Partners from across the John Lewis Partnership and a specialist third party merchandising team, the team will have just nine days to ensure every element of the shop is ready for the grand opening.

Gavin Smith, occupation manager, John Lewis says:

“Work is progressing well and although a challenging programme, we remain firmly on track for an autumn opening. We have moved from working on the shell of the building to the interior fit out, with all elements being co-ordinated and moving ahead at a great pace. The project team are doing a great job and we are confident we will deliver the shop on time and to a very high standard.”

John Lewis at home Tamworth will be the retailer’s sixth ‘at home’ shop and the first in the West Midlands. The eagerly anticipated 42,000 sq ft shop will focus on furniture, homewares, furnishing accessories and electrical and home technology and will also include a relaxing customer café with space for 72 covers.

Over 2,100 job applications were received for the shop and over 200 people have been taken on for positions following a recruitment drive earlier this year. Department managers will be the first to take on their new roles, beginning a training programme on Monday, August 22. All Tamworth Partners (staff) will be inducted and trained over the next few weeks.

Isabel Macdonald, branch manager, John Lewis at home Tamworth says:

“With the first of the Tamworth Partners starting training this Monday we’ll ensure we bring our excellent product knowledge and renowned customer service to all our customers. I can’t wait to start working with the entire John Lewis at home Tamworth team and open our doors to welcome shoppers from the local area soon.”

The new John Lewis at home branch will also offer customers a new way to shop in Tamworth via its ‘Click and Collect’ service. The service allows customers to order products from johnlewis.com before 7pm and collect them for free at the branch after 2pm the following day or opt for home delivery.

Customer online ordering points throughout the shop will enable customers to access the wider John Lewis product range including fashion, nursery, beauty and toys.

John Lewis at home Tamworth will complement the existing full line department store in Solihull as well as the flagship shop, due to open in Birmingham in 2014. Together these shops will transform John Lewis’ presence in the West Midlands, providing more convenient access to John Lewis products.

Source : Warren – Tamworth Blog
http://tamworthblog.co.uk/2011/08/22/john-lewis-at-home-on-track/