28 March 2024, 19:44
By Furniture News Feb 03, 2023

£5m Barker and Stonehouse flagship takes shape

Barker and Stonehouse says its new flagship store in Gateshead is taking shape, with work well under way to transform the former Snow + Rock site, bringing together sustainable design, striking architecture and inspiring home interiors.

The retailer is investing more than £5m to double the size of its existing base, with the new store comprising 50,000 sqft of retail space across three floors.

Ahead of its opening on Good Friday (7th April), the retailer’s existing unit at the Metro Retail Park will be transformed into an outlet store.

MD James Barker says: “The new store is really starting to take shape, and this is a huge milestone in what is a significant project for our business. Alongside other key investments in the area such as launching our concept store within Fenwick Newcastle, this represents our commitment to the region and to offering the best possible customer experience.

“We were proud to be the first UK furniture retailer of scale to achieve Carbon Neutral Plus status and are constantly thinking about ways we can improve our impact on the planet. This approach has certainly been foremost in our minds during the design and build of this store and we can’t wait to welcome customers this spring.”

The new store utilises responsibly sourced timber frames rather than steel where feasible, and a full roof of solar panels, as well as extras such as an expansive green roof that will protect and promote local biodiversity.

Inside, the store roof is held up by circular timber feature columns, crafted with branches that take the form of a tree. Upstairs will be a roof terrace cafe run by restaurateur Daryl Chadwick. 

Set in a prime location in Gateshead, the new store promises to be easily accessible by car and public transport, and will have a dedicated car park with electric vehicle charging points.

Ahead of the new opening, the retailer will close its Newcastle store on Leazes Park Road, having outgrown the base where it has traded since 1998.

James adds: “It’s been a pleasure to serve so many of our wonderful North East customers from our Newcastle store for the past 25 years. However, we hope they’ll love our new flagship store just as much as we’ve loved bringing it to life.”

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