Morleys to create 100 jobs with new Bexleyheath department store
Up to 100 new jobs will be created when department store Morleys opens a shop in the former BHS site in Bexleyheath’s Broadway Shopping Centre.
Due to open in April, the Bexleyheath shop will be Morleys Group’s ninth department store and follows the recent redevelopment of the company’s ‘Camp Hopson’ Department & Home store in Newbury.
Bernard Dreesmann, executive chairman of Morleys, said: “We are excited about the opportunity in Bexleyheath and are confident that we can bring something new and fresh to the area.”
The news follows months of work by Broadway Shopping Centre’s owner NewRiver REIT and the London Borough of Bexley to secure a new retailer for the site.
Stuart Mitchell, asset director at NewRiver, said: “We are thrilled to introduce Morleys to Broadway Shopping Centre to further enhance the existing retail mix and reactivate the former BHS store.
“In partnership with London Borough of Bexley, we worked hard to secure an attractive new retailer. Morleys are an excellent operator and brings a varied and high-quality, retail offer to the heart of Bexleyheath.”
Spanning 50,000 square feet, the new store will offer fashion, accessories, beauty, menswear and stationery on the ground floor, as well as new restaurant. The first floor will house a home department featuring china and glass, electricals, gifts, beds, linens and curtains, together with toys, luggage and haberdashery.
Brands offered across the store will include Topshop and Topman, Radley, Barbour, Moss Bros, Oasis, Phase Eight, Wallis, Miss Selfridge, Cath Kidston, Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste, Christy, Ted Baker, Tempur, Dunlopillo, Clinique, Clarins and Benefit.
The addition of Morleys will further enhance the line-up at the centre which includes M&S, H&M, New Look, TK Maxx, Boots and Sainsbury’s. Broadway Shopping Centre sees a total footfall of 9.5 million shoppers per year.
The Leader of the London Borough of Bexley, Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE, said; “We are delighted to be welcoming Morley’s to our fantastic Broadway Shopping Centre. The presence of such a renowned department store in the heart of our borough is real coup.
“Morley’s will enhance the great retail offer that the centre already has as well as providing vital jobs for local people – including some previous BHS employees. I look forward to them opening their doors for business.”
Sophie Cassat, who previously managed the very same unit when it was a BHS, has been appointed as the new Morleys department store manager.
She said: “We already have a fantastic retail offer here in the town and it is wonderful news that this independent chain has chosen Bexleyheath to further its expansion across Greater London.”
Founded in 1927, Morleys operates stores in Brixton, Wimbledon, Ilford, Holloway, Tooting, Upminster, Newbury and Enfield.
