Laura Ashley, the British fashion and home brand founded in 1953 by Laura and Bernard Ashley, will make its official return to bricks-and-mortar retail in the UK with the opening of its first freestanding store in over five years on 26th September at Lakeside Retail Park, Thurrock, with a new flagship which marks "a significant milestone" in the brand’s UK retail strategy.
Spanning nearly 10,000 sqft, the space will present Laura Ashley’s home, decor, fashion and girlswear collections within "an immersive brand environment". Strategically located just outside London with convenient transport links, the store is operated in partnership with Next, leveraging the latter's advanced retail systems and stock management expertise.
The opening demonstrates the strengthening partnership between Next and Marquee Brands, the fast-growing global brand owner and accelerator which acquired Laura Ashley in January 2025. With "a shared commitment to the growth of Laura Ashley", this flagship opening "signifies a pivotal moment for the return of Laura Ashley to bricks-and-mortar retail in the UK", state the partners.
"Laura Ashley stores have always been destinations of inspiration, where consumers could explore and immerse themselves in the brand’s world of design,” says Rachel Terrace, chief commercial and growth officer, Marquee Brands. “In partnership with Next, a leading retail partner for the brand, we are proud to reintroduce this experience in a refreshed retail concept. This opening represents a significant milestone in Laura Ashley’s return to the UK retail market and signals the next phase of growth for the brand.”
The store promises to inspire brand loyalists and engage new fans, showcasing a curated mix of home furnishings, an extensive Sofa Shop experience and the Laura Ashley Interior Design Service. A dedicated Design Hub invites visitors to explore made-to-measure fabrics alongside the brand’s wallpaper and paint collections – a central feature that pays homage to the brand’s heritage in shaping home design. The assortment will further include decorative accessories, soft furnishings, lighting and tableware, complemented by an edit of Laura Ashley’s women’s fashion, sleepwear and girlswear collections, creating "a comprehensive lifestyle destination under one roof".
To enhance the in-store experience, the space will host brand activations and product launches, as well as design and decor events, creating "a dynamic and ever-evolving environment", says the retailer.
"Coinciding with what would have been founder Laura Ashley’s 100th birthday, the debut of the new store provides a timely moment to honour her history and enduring legacy, as part of the year-long celebration of Laura Ashley: 100 Years of an Icon," it continues.
A spokesperson for Next concludes: "We’re excited to be partnering with Marquee Brands to reintroduce Laura Ashley’s physical store presence in the UK. This new space offers customers the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the world of Laura Ashley, discovering the wide range of collections available from interiors to womenswear and childrenswear, all within a fresh and inspiring environment, in one of the UK's best retail locations."
