Upmarket department store Fenwick has announced it will be closing its Windsor branch after 37 years in the town, and has revealed details of its new opening in Bracknell.
The Windsor store, which is situated in King Edward Court, will close after the business failed to find an alternative location after its lease had expired. Staff will all be offered alternative employment at its new store in Bracknell, approximately 10 miles away, which will open this autumn.
Chairman Mark Fenwick said the decision to close Windsor “had been particularly difficult for the company, the family and me personally, as we have been committed to serving the people of Windsor for over 30 years.”
“We have always seen Windsor as a perfect Fenwick town, where our particularly fashion orientated, specialist store offer would thrive. Unfortunately we were unable to find a suitable alternative location,” he said.
Its new Bracknell store will be located in The Lexicon development of the newly regenerated town centre. Covering 80,000 sq ft it will stock brands such as Michael Kors, Coach, Kate Spade, Max Mara, Armani and Hugo Boss, as well as a denim studio and shoe emporium. Beauty brands will include Charlotte Tilbury, MAC and Jo Malone.
Around 80 jobs will be created at the new store, which was designed by retail consultancy HMKM.
As well as its flagship on Bond Street, London, Fenwick has stores in Newcastle, Brent Cross, Canterbury, Colchester, Tunbridge Wells and York. It also owns the Bentalls store in Kingston upon Thames. Earlier this year it announced the closure of its Leicester store.
The business was founded in Newcastle by John James Fenwick in 1882. In February of this year former Co-op chief executive Richard Pennycook became the first non-Fenwick family member to lead the group. He will take over as chairman from Mark Fenwick, the fifth generation of the family to head up the business, who will stand down in May. Adam Fenwick, however, will remain as managing director.
