Cheltenham’s anticipated new John Lewis store will open on Thursday 18 October 2018, SoGlos can reveal.
The £23m development has seen the former Beechwood Shopping Centre transformed into a contemporary department store on Cheltenham’s High Street. The striking full-glass frontage has been described by some as a ‘cathedral for shoppers’ and spans over 115,000 square feet, showcasing fashion, home and electronics.
Tim Harrison, director of store development at John Lewis, said: ‘Cheltenham has long been a sought-after location for us and we’re delighted to be able to expand our reach to customers across the region for the first time. This new shop will provide more convenient access to our inspiring products and great service, and we’re looking forward to becoming part of the local community.’
Managing the Cheltenham branch will be Martin Bundy, who has been a partner with John Lewis for over 18 years. He joined the company in Southsea as a shop floor assistant and has since held several senior roles in Southampton, Bluewater and Chichester, before moving to Cheltenham to manage what will be John Lewis’ 51st store.
Job opportunities have also been advertised at the Cheltenham branch through John Lewis’ jobs portal. Roles include maintenance tradesperson, catering section manager, business projection section manager, visual merchandising section manager and selling section manager.
The project has been possible thanks to combined investment from John Lewis, BlackRock and Cheltenham Borough Council. John Benham, vice president of real estate at Blackrock, said: ‘This development improves Cheltenham as a shopping destination, increasing footfall within the town centre and encouraging other retailers to the area.’
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