Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
John Lewis has today announced that its regional flagship department store in Birmingham will open in September.
The multiple retailer has invested £35 million in the 250,000sq ft department store, which will be one of the largest outside London.
Lisa Williams will become head of branch. She is currently head of branch at John Lewis High Wycombe and in the last 18 months oversaw the chain’s largest redevelopment investment of 2013 when the shop received a £16 million refurbishment programme.
Lisa replaces Kim Lowe who was initially appointed head of branch when the retailer was working to an earlier opening date. Kim has since taken up a role as head of branch at John Lewis Bluewater, one of the retailer’s largest shops.
The new store will be the anchor tenant of the Grand Central development and John Lewis claims, “is set to be the most conveniently located department store in the UK”. It will sit directly above Birmingham New Street station, the busiest railway station outside London.
John Lewis managing director Andy Street said: “Our aspiration is for John Lewis Birmingham to become the cornerstone of wider regeneration in the south side of the city centre, and to deliver a legacy of real quality and value to the area. We’re also very pleased to confirm an opening date, and look forward to presenting our new regional flagship department store to the shopping public of Birmingham.”
