Fenwick has initiated the first phase of its ambitious renovation plan for its flagship Newcastle store, with activities commencing in March.
This renovation is a component of a £40 million investment strategy aimed at modernising and preparing the store for future generations. Mailen Design has been tasked with the careful and thoughtful redesign of the store’s original 1880s façade.
Approval has been granted for modifications to the ground floor windows and the store’s entry flow, introducing a new, majestic central entrance on Northumberland Street. This development aims to enhance the welcome extended to visitors, underlining the importance of customer accessibility and experience.
The redesign process has been conducted in meticulous consultation with Newcastle City Council. This collaborative approach seeks to promote community involvement and contribute to the council’s broader efforts to regenerate Northumberland Street and the surrounding city centre.
This initiative represents a continuation of Fenwick’s investment plan, unveiled in 2022 to coincide with its 140th anniversary. The plan focuses on transforming the shopping experience, signifying the retailer’s dedication to the northeast’s development and the welfare of its local economy. Highlights of the renovation so far include the construction of a central atria designed to open up the building’s interior and the refurbishment of the beauty hall by Sybarite.
To ensure the design stays true to the building’s heritage, Fenwick has granted access to its historic archives, and the design has been inspired by the many changes the Newcastle store has undergone over the last 140 years. Through an analytical reinterpretation of the store’s historic context, Mailen Design’s concept balances material craftsmanship with innovation to signify the brand’s evolution whilst restoring a sense of heritage.
Kieran McBride, Newcastle Store Director, Fenwick said:
“Our flagship store has remained a treasured part of the city centre since opening in 1882, and its evolution marks a continuing connection to Newcastle, and commitment to the city’s future.”
“Improving accessibility and enhancing the customer experience will allow the store to remain the destination of choice for shoppers across the region. The collaboration with Mailen Design and Newcastle City Council has been invaluable, investing together to ensure Northumberland Street and Newcastle’s city centre remain a thriving hub for its visitors and surrounding community.”
Ben Mailen, Managing Director, Mailen Design said:
“The renovation of such a prominent building, involving the restoration of its historic fabric and a thoughtful addition of high quality material craftsmanship, is an opportunity that is very special for the practice.
“In close collaboration with the esteemed Fenwick brand and an extremely talented wider design team, we have reimagined the store frontage to reflect a contemporary re-interpretation of significant milestones in Fenwick’s history, including the preservation of the central doors, curved shopfronts and the striking canopy from the post-war years. Our analytical approach to research and context has resulted in a solution that celebrates the building’s heritage and allows Northumberland Street to continue supporting the city’s community.”
The construction aims to breathe new life into this historic site, with an anticipated completion date in October 2024. This comprehensive refurbishment is not just a nod to the store’s storied past but a forward-looking venture aimed at enhancing the shopping experience for future generations.
