John Lewis announces investment in Peterborough

Department store John Lewis and Partners has announced that it will invest 21 million pounds to refurbish its 93,000 square foot Peterborough shop in the Queensgate shopping centre.

The refurbishment, part of John Lewis’ strategy to ensure its shops are “destinations that offer an outstanding experience for its customers”, will include an overhaul and reconfiguration of the entire shop with improvements being made to all departments to ensure that it offers a range of products that are “increasingly unique” to John Lewis.

Due to be completed by January 2020, the refurbishment will include new features such as a new Customer Collection Point, set to opening in August, that will be accompanied by a new external loading bay. This will offer customers both internal and external access for the collection point and will make collection easier for customers.

In addition, the new womenswear department on the upper ground floor will include a ‘Style Studio’, where customers can visit for a one-on-one personal styling appointment or a group style consultation. Customers will be able to choose their personal stylist and select from one of the five appointments: from holiday wardrobe refresh to help to find the perfect pair of jeans.

The upper ground floor will be also home to a new Experience Desk where specially trained staff will provide a concierge-style service, helping customers book a number of different services that will be on offer in the department store from Personal Styling and Home Design to its Nursery Advice service.

The Beauty Hall is also being given a makeover in time for Christmas. This will see the introduction of new brands and a new beauty concierge-style service, where customers will be able to seek independent advice across the full range of brands and products as well as being able to book in for a variety of services and consultation appointments.

There will also be a new restaurant, ‘The Place to Eat’ will open with new decor and a new menu on the first floor in autumn this year. During the refurbishment, the current ‘The Place to Eat’ will move to a temporary location on the first floor with a reduced menu.

John Lewis and Partners to refurbish Peterborough store in Queensgate shopping centre

While the work is taking place customers will be able to take a virtual reality tour of the new-look shop using VR headsets seeing how the shops new features, including the Style Studio, Experience Desk and Womenswear department will look when completed.

Gary Rowntree, head of branch at John Lewis and Partners Peterborough, said in a statement: “As retail is changing it is important for us to respond to the needs of our customers. The investment in the shop will create new and exciting experiences, while giving our customers in Peterborough a new level of personalised and curated shopping.

“We want to thank our customers for their patience while the improvements are being made and we are very excited to unveil new sections of the shop as the work progresses. In the meantime, we will ensure our expert Partners are on hand to answer any questions over the upcoming months.”

Queensgate Shopping Centre is owned by Invesco Real Estate and managed by LendLease and the John Lewis refurbishment forms part of the 60 million pound extension of Queensgate, set to be complete by Autumn 2021. The 77,000 square foot extension will be anchored by a ten-screen Empire Cinema and will create 200 job opportunities, adding 10 percent to the total number of people employed by Queensgate.

Commenting on the plans for Queensgate, Guy Thomas, head of retail at Lendlease, added: “The 60 million pound extension, anchored by a ten-screen Empire Cinema, will sit alongside new restaurant brands and bring further opportunities whilst position Queensgate as a significant retail and leisure destination.

“The refurbishment works are just the initial phase of our plans. This is a very exciting time for Queensgate and the investment by retailers, such as John Lewis and Partners alongside new entrants to the scheme, signifies the strength of the regional catchment.”

CGI Images: courtesy of Queensgate