John Lewis to open in Cheltenham

John Lewis has announced that it plans to open a new department store in Cheltenham in 2017. The 30 million pound development will see John Lewis opening a 115,000 square foot store set across two floors, which will take over the entire Beechwood Shopping Centre in the city.

The development has already seen current retailers including Next, Debenhams and Evans moving out so that work on transforming the space can start early next year, which has been possible from combines investment from John Lewis, BlackRock and Cheltenham Borough Council.

It is expected that the department store will create more than 250 jobs, as the two-floor store will showcase fashion, home and consumer 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.”

John Benham, vice president of real estate at Blackrock, landlord of the property, added: “This development improves Cheltenham as a shopping destination, increasing footfall within the town centre and encouraging other retailers to the area.

“At the same time, this ensures the long-term viability of the site, creating long-term returns for our investors by improving the building and securing a high quality brand as a tenant.”