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Hammerson, the owner and manager of the new Victoria Quarter retail development in Leeds, has announced that anchor tenant John Lewis will open its doors on Thursday October 20.
Victoria Gate is a £165 million development in Leeds’ Victoria Quarter. It will become part of the new 53,400sq m (575,000sq ft) Victoria Estate shopping district, which also includes Leeds’ Victoria Quarter arcades.
The department store frames the scheme, which will offer customers a mix of new aspirational retail brands and restaurants. The line-up already includes Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, GANT, Hackett, Anthropologie, Cos, & Other Stories and fine dining international restaurant group D&D.
Hammerson director of retail development Robin Dobson, said: “It’s great to be able to confirm the official launch date for Victoria Gate as October 20.
“Ideally timed for pre-Christmas trade, we are delighted to bring this new and iconic retail destination to Leeds – and one that is set to be the largest premium retail and leisure destination outside London. We look forward to disclosing further detail about the launch celebrations shortly.”
John Lewis has invested £37 million in the 255,000sq ft department store, which will be one of its largest outside London.
Head of Branch James Prince said: ‘I can’t wait for John Lewis Leeds to open its doors for the first time. It’s our most service and experiential-led shop to date, as we continue to offer more for customers that can’t be replicated online. My new team is really looking forward to serving the people of Leeds and welcoming everyone on opening day.’
John Lewis Leeds will be the third John Lewis to open in Yorkshire and will feature more than 350,000 products. The retailer operates 46 John Lewis shops across the UK (32 department stores, 12 John Lewis at home and shops at St Pancras International and Heathrow Terminal 2) as well as www.johnlewis.com.
