John Lewis set out to create a brand new store that could improve on the excellent image that they already had. The project was to build a new store that was situated within the old multi-retail market area of the Trafford Centre at Manchester. Both the ground & first floor would receive a brand new fit out, setting a new standard not just for John Lewis, but for other department stores.

This was a huge project involving many sub contractors under the project management of Bovis Lend Lease Limited.

The Ground Floor boasts a sales floor area of approx. 62,000 Square feet. The shopfitting of this level was undertaken by The Fitzroy Group and consists of the following departments:- Nursery Furniture, Children’s Wear, Children’s Shoes, Lingerie, Ladies Fashion, Womens, Shoes, Sports Clothing & Accessories, Men’s Shoes, Menswear, Travel Goods, Perfumery, Jewellery and Fashion Accessories.

There is also a comprehensive array of advisory areas utilising high quality seating and décor with subtle design touches adding that personal touch and catering for the customers needs.

Originall yeach floor level was a vast single room.The decision to subdivide each floor into three to enhance and not overwhelm the customer has proved to be an inspired one. The walls used to divide the floors have also served as a backdrop for additional merchandising of sales goods and signage, directing customers around the store. Upon entering the store you are literally drawn in and made to feel at ease. As you walk through the store you are met by a flood of natural light streaming through the internally louvered glass dome and into the elliptical Escalator/Atrium area.

The John Lewis in house Design team has managed to achieve a pleasurable shopping experience for the customer. The store has a fresh, sharp feel with clean lines. Its use of vibrant accent colours is striking but clever. The store is carefully laid out to exploit the floor and wall space, without compromising the overall experience of the customer.

Our site management ran the project extremely well as we had to co-ordinate with other sub-trades to overcome unforeseen problems with the minimum of disruption. Before we could start work on site we had a Health and Safety audit by Bovis Lend Lease, where we gained an Accreditation from them, which lasts 5 years. Whilst on site two of our employees became Fire Marshals and we also received the John Lewis / Bovis Lend Lease Monthly Safety Award for March 2005, for carrying out our work safely in accordance with site policies and procedures.

This was an ambitious project undertaken by John Lewis and was indeed the largest single contract that we had undertaken. With an on site start date of the 17 th January 2005 we were able to complete for the clients opening date of the 30th May 2005.