Debenhams
The firm can now start stocking the new shop on South John Street ahead of its launch on May 29, alongside other premises, as part of the first phase opening of the giant £1bn shopping, leisure and residential complex.
The Debenhams store signage went up last week, along with a striking large red light fitting in the main entrance that showed things are really starting to take shape.
Debenhams joins the new John Lewis department store as the second key anchor tenant in the Liverpool One development, which is expected to transform the city’s retail fortunes.
At 180,000 sq ft, the four-level store is one of the largest new- build projects ever undertaken by Debenhams, and will create more than 500 jobs in the city – 300 in the store directly – which could swell to as many as 700 at peak times such as Christmas.
The new development boasts the chain’s largest menswear department outside London – as well as the first-ever male personal shopping suite – and one of the biggest childrenswear departments.
Exclusive lines to Debenhams being made available to Liverpool shoppers for the first time include actress Sadie Frost’s Frost French lingerie; Olympic rower Steve Redgrave’s organic cotton range for Maine New England menswear; Star by Julien Macdonald for women and children; as well as the store’s regular designers Red Herring, Rocha.John Rocha and Jasper Conran.
There will be a concept “beauty bar” and ladies’ pamper area with a brow bar, nail bar, tanning room and hair stylists, bringing new niche brands to Liverpool that managers are hoping will prove popular with women ahead of a Friday night on the town.
Other services available include personal shoppers and wedding gift services.
For refreshments, the Style Cafe area boasts views of the redeveloped Chavasse Park, the Albert Dock and beyond, and there is a further coffee shop and a special rest area for gold card shoppers.
Manager Kevin O’Donovan said: “The new store is great for Liverpool and, hopefully, it will encourage people to shop in the city with no need to go out to Manchester. Liverpool One offers a great choice for customers.”
Deputy manager David Slater added: “Everything is on sched- ule and stock will start to arrive this week. Getting everything ready will take us right up to opening day, when we have a lot of activities planned.”
As well as Debenhams, the brand new John Lewis store and restaurants including Wagamama and Cafe Rouge will all open at the end of May, with a special day of events around the “world’s biggest catwalk” stretching the length of South John Street.
by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post
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