Story Highlight
– Lakeside enhances jewellery and watch offerings with new retailers.
– Beaverbrooks invests £650,000 for expanded store space.
– Ernest Jones introduces a new store concept this summer.
– Browns Jewellers and Diamonds Factory also opening new stores.
– Lakeside recognized as a leading super-regional shopping destination.
Full Story
Lakeside shopping centre is set to enhance its jewellery and watch offering through substantial investments from prominent retailers, including Ernest Jones, Browns Jewellers, and Diamonds Factory. Beaverbrooks, another notable name in the industry, is allocating £650,000 for an expansion of its store.
Owned by SGS UK Retail, Lakeside has indicated that this investment is a response to the robust demand for high-end jewellery within a catchment area of 8.5 million residents.
Ernest Jones and Beaverbrooks are at the forefront of developments in the watch sector at the Essex retail hub. Ernest Jones is set to introduce a 1,310 sq ft store on Level 2 this summer, featuring a new design concept. The Signet-owned brand plans to showcase a carefully curated collection of diamonds, fine jewellery, and luxury watches, including the addition of Citizen Attesa to its watch range. This fresh concept aims to provide a sophisticated retail environment, while still embodying the customer service excellence established over the jeweller’s 77-year history.
Beaverbrooks will relocate to a larger unit of 2,477 sq ft at the main entrance of the revamped Brompton Arcade, marking a 34% increase in its retail space. The retailer’s £650,000 investment will facilitate a modernised store fit-out, featuring an updated glass façade and specialised areas for customer consultations. This expanded location is expected to present a wider array of fine jewellery and luxury timepieces, including popular brands like TAG Heuer, Gucci, and Michael Kors.
Browns Jewellers, another new entrant, has secured a 469 sq ft store on Level 2, which will offer a diverse jewellery selection along with a dedicated bridal collection. Additionally, Diamonds Factory will establish a presence with a 790 sq ft unit on Level 1, focusing on affordable, ethically sourced diamonds.
Robert Jewell, managing director of asset management at Pradera, expressed that the influx of investments from these jewellery retailers underscores Lakeside’s status as a premier super-regional shopping destination.
Commenting on their upcoming store opening, Neil Old, managing director of Signet UK and Ireland, stated, “Lakeside is one of the UK’s premier retail destinations and an exciting stage for the next chapter of Ernest Jones. With millions of visitors every year, it provides the scale, energy and customer profile that align perfectly with our ambitions for the brand.”
He added, “We’re excited to be unveiling our new store design concept, reflecting a more contemporary, inspiring and elevated experience, while remaining true to the quality, craftsmanship and expertise that have made Ernest Jones a trusted jeweller for over 77 years.”
