Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Lakeland has plans to open a new store and relocate two others by year-end.
The kitchenware chain is launching a new outlet in The Mall at Cribbs Causeway in Bristol. The store, which measures less than 3,000sq ft, is due to open at the end of October, bringing the specialist retailer’s store total to 67.
Lakeland finance and retail director Bob Granger told www.HousewaresLive.net: “We’ve wanted to be in Cribbs for a long time, and we would have loved to have been able to secure more space but we think we have a great site. And I’m sure customers will be pleased to see Lakeland at the centre.”
Meanwhile, further north, Lakeland’s Chester branch is on the move. The store is currently in Chester’s famous ‘Rows’: a unique system of covered walkways with shops and commercial properties on two levels.
The address is 5 Eastgate Row North, which is on the second level of shops on Eastgate Row, near Chester Cross. But this outlet will close on Sunday October 20 and transfer to new premises.
Bob Granger said: “Chester is a great move for us, to a much better location. We will be on Northgate Street – between the Cross and the Town Hall – which is just a stone’s throw from the existing store. We have about 4,000sq ft – and will be much more visible and accessible for customers.”
Finally, Lakeland is moving out of Worcester city centre and relocating to a nearby garden centre. The branch, currently at 13-14 St Swithin’s Street, is to become a fixture at Webbs Garden Centre at Wychbold, near Droitwich, in the new year.
Bob Granger explains: “Our lease comes to an end this Christmas. We’ve been able to find new premises of about 4,500sq ft at the Webbs of Wychbold garden centre, a few miles to the north of the city.”
He adds: “Garden centre locations have been very popular with our customers, so I’m sure we’ll do well.” Lakeland already operates four stores in garden centres across the country: Dobbies Garden World at Craigforth in Stirling, Dobbies Garden World at Melville Nursery in Edinburgh, Bridgemere Nursery & Garden World in Bridgemere and Woodlands Nursery & Garden Centre at Stapleton in Leicestershire.
Webbs of Wychbold is one of the biggest garden centres in the UK and has been awarded Garden Centre of the Year by the Garden Centre Association three times.
