John Lewis invest £16 million in new stores

Over 350 new jobs across Swindon and Tunbridge Wells will be created after retailer John Lewis announced yesterday that it will open two ‘at home’ shops in 2010.

With a combined investment of £16 million, the John Lewis at home shops in Swindon and Tunbridge Wells will open in the autumn, taking the total number of 'at home' branches to four. The stores will focus exclusively on furniture, furnishing accessories, electrical and home technology. Customer access terminals in the branch allow shoppers to browse the wider John Lewis assortment including fashion, beauty, nursery and order for home delivery or next day collection at the shop. The retailer is scheduled to open its second 'at home' shop in Croydon in late summer, following the successful opening of John Lewis at home in Poole last October.

John Lewis at home will provide a further boost to local employment with the creation of new jobs, taking the total number of 'at home' jobs created to 720.