John Lewis to add to ‘At Home’ portfolio with new Chichester store

John Lewis at Home is to open in Chichester in spring 2012.

The department store group has four at Home stores trading currently, in Poole, Croydon, Tunbridge Wells and Swindon. It is opening a further store in Chester next week followed by another in Tamworth on October 12, taking its store count to six.
The retailer will invest £8m in the Chichester development. Located on the Chichester Retail Park, the shop will cover 40,000 sq ft of selling space, split over two floors and will create 140 jobs.

John Lewis managing director Andy Street said: “I very much welcome this opportunity for John Lewis to open an at Home shop in Chichester. Our business will fit extremely well into this location and we are looking forward both to recruiting new partners from the local area and providing shoppers with the excellent products and services a John Lewis shop offers.”

John Lewis at Home stores sell furniture, furnishing accessories, electrical and home technology.

John Lewis head of format development Tim Harrison said: “The at Home format has been very well received by customers for its convenience and ease and we look forward to providing shoppers with our differentiated service, inspiring products and great value.”

The retailer wants to have 10 at Home stores by the end of 2012. It opens in Newbury in spring 2012

The Chichester shop has been leased from PRUPIM. John Lewis was represented by property agents Cushman & Wakefield and Ashworths Chartered Surveyors.

Source : Nicola Harrison – Retail Week
www.retail-week.com/property/john-lewis-at-home-to-open-in-chichester/5029400.article