John Lewis has opened a Jamie Oliver Cookery School and Café at its flagship store on London’s Oxford Street, marking a significant addition to its growing in-store hospitality offering.
Spanning 4,600 square feet on the third floor, the new space comprises two cookery classrooms and a café with seating for up to 50 people.
The retailer has reported a 6% rise in hospitality sales over the past 12 months, with one in five transactions in a John Lewis shop now taking place in a café or restaurant.
John Lewis is set to launch five more cafés and restaurants this year, bringing the total number of hospitality spaces across its estate to 62. Building on their success in eight existing locations, new Ori Caffès will open in the Liverpool and Solihull branches later this year, with a further café set to launch in Southampton.
The retailer is also planning seasonal pop-ups to deliver original and topical experiences for customers. Among them, the ground floor atrium of Peter Jones will be transformed into a floral-themed wine bar to coincide with the Chelsea Flower Show.
Katie Papakonstantinou, Director of Services & Hospitality at John Lewis, said: “Opening the Jamie Oliver Cookery School and Café is a fantastic addition to our Oxford Street store.
“Whether it’s a moment to pause while considering a purchase, or an escape from the bustle of the shop floor, having a diverse and exciting range of hospitality options within our shops is vital to the customer experience.
“That’s why we’re continuing to invest in new offerings, and why by the end of the year we expect to have more than 60 dedicated hospitality spaces across our 36 stores.”
The investment in hospitality forms part of the wider John Lewis store transformation plan, which includes major refurbishments at its Liverpool and Bluewater locations, significant enhancements to five beauty halls, and broader improvements throughout the store portfolio.
