Harvey Nichols to transform Birmingham store
Harvey Nichols is to transform its Birmingham store as part of plans to revamp the upmarket Mailbox shopping centre in the city.
The retailer said the store will undergo an “exciting transformation” that will see it more than double in size to over 45,000 sq ft by 2015.
Over six metres in height, the store’s retail space will be engineered to capitalise on the available daylight and to allow for an “innovative and intelligent” store design. Departments currently performing beyond expectations such as Menswear and Personal Shopping will be given an increased space allocation, while the retailer is also considering incorporating a more sophisticated hospitality offer.
Joseph Wan, group chief executive at Harvey Nichols, said: “We firmly believe our participation in this redevelopment will underline our commitment to Birmingham and its shoppers –it is a testimony to our success in the city as well as the success of the city itself. The new store will enable us to greatly expand for our customers the best of Fashion, Beauty, Accessories and Food and to continue bringing them the very best in luxury and service well into the future.”
Never Miss a Retail Update!Harvey Nichol’s existing shop, which will remain open during the redevelopment, will be moved to the former post-room space at the heart of Mailbox. The space recently played host to a series of catwalk shows as the main attraction for the city’s style and shopping event Style Birmingham Live.
Brockton Capital and Milligan, Mailbox’s owners, said they have earmarked substantial funds to enhance the Mailbox building and public realm.
Melanie Taylor, head of leasing at Milligan, said: “The original developers created a prestigious shopping and lifestyle destination. Our goal is to strengthen this vision and to see Mailbox realise its full potential, with the customers’ needs at its very heart.
“The city has a great sense of optimism and pride towards what is home to The BBC and the destination that originally brought Harvey Nichols to Birmingham back in 2001. The restaurants and hotels in particular are well liked by Birmingham and its visitors. Our future plans will see the environment of the building transformed whilst bringing a unique collection of brands to Birmingham.”
Mailbox is also working with Birmingham City Council to introduce a new pedestrian friendly public area reaching from the underpass beneath the city’s Suffolk Street Queensway to the front of the Mailbox building.
Simon Samuels, partner at Brockton Capital, added: “Mailbox is the established location in Birmingham for luxury retail and Harvey Nichols’ decision to double the size of their store is the ultimate endorsement of this fact. The redevelopment of Mailbox also plays a key role in the ongoing transformation of Birmingham city centre and will complete the city’s all-encompassing retail picture.”
