Boom time for St Helier luxury goods stores

Wednesday 07 September 2016

The first phase of a £15million redevelopment in one of Jersey’s best-known stores has been completed.

Jersey’s oldest fashion house, de Gruchy, will open its doors this week on its newly refurbished department store.

These are interesting days for St Helier’s High Street chains as household giants Next are set to open their new superstore soon and last month Flannels purchased the former BHS site for £18million.

Flannels, owned by multi-millionaire Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct brand, will open before Christmas with around 50 new jobs created.    

The first stage of de Gruchy’s King Street £15million store re-fitting has been finished and involved a comprehensive internal and external refurbishment to create a shopping space, which includes new central escalators, flooring and lighting.

The investment has enabled de Gruchy to attract new well-known brands and services to the Island and Town Centre Manager Daphne East says while the loss of BHS last month was a blow, the fact that investment is coming to St Helier shows Jersey’s capital is in good health.

Ms East said: "This is an exciting period for our capital. Next is also creating a super store alongside de Gruchy, adding even more choice.

“De Gruchy's vision and financial commitment shows tangible proof that St Helier remains a relevant and viable retail environment. The High Street still faces considerable challenges but this project and the recent news that another major UK retailer is to open in the centre of town, show that the sector is confident, willing and able, to fight for its place in consumers' hearts and pockets."

John Marquis, de Gruchy Store Director, said: "We are delighted to announce the opening of our new store. Our vision to create a luxury shopping space in the heart of St Helier has come to life. In line with the overall project, the brand identity ‘forever inspired' has been translated through every stage of the development to encapsulate the stores heritage, stature and authenticity of the de Gruchy that dates back to 1810.

“We hope that de Gruchy's new look and the introduction of new luxury brands and services will not only encourage new customers into our store, but will also boost St Helier's High Street as a whole, bringing more people to the island."

The interior look for the new store has been designed by Caulder Moore, one of the UK's leading specialist retail design companies, working alongside a team of local professional experts including Axis Mason architects and Andy Fleet of Bridgewater Project Management.

Coinciding with the launch of the new store, de Gruchy has announced its partner charity for the next year will be Jersey Hospice Care and is helping to raise funds for the charity. The campaign will be given a boost at the launch of the new store this weekend with a prize raffle in aid of the charity.

Jersey Hospice Care's Chief Executive, Emelita Robbins, said: “We are thrilled that de Gruchy, one of the oldest retailers in Jersey and well known to all islanders, has chosen to partner with Jersey Hospice Care, a charity that opens its doors to all islanders with life limiting conditions.

“At the launch, we will be holding a raffle with prizes worth in excess of £4,000. All of the prizes have been generously donated by the store and the proceeds will go to Jersey Hospice Care.”

Customers will be able to join in the celebrations at de Gruchy's new store during a three-day event from Thursday 8th to Saturday September 10th, including exclusive offers, special promotions, and cooking and make-up demonstrations.