Barker and Stonehouse announces first concept stores with Fenwick

Two leaders in British retailing – who both founded their businesses in the North East – have joined forces to offer customers the ultimate shopping destination.

Furniture retailer Barker and Stonehouse is opening its first store-within-a-store concept spaces in Fenwick’s Newcastle upon Tyne flagship outlet and in Bentalls Kingston.

The new Newcastle concept store will comprise of an impressive 10,000 sq. ft of retail space, with the Bentalls store slightly smaller.

Managing director James Barker said: “As a North East business that started back in 1946, it felt like a natural next step to partner with another much-loved independent family business that started here.

“It is a different way of trading for us, but then retail has changed markedly in the past five years, and particularly in the past two. This type of collaboration is definitely an excellent route to sustainable growth. It allows both brands to extend their offer in relevant ways, bringing the benefits of each brand to the customers of both. Fenwick’s values, customers and aspirations perfectly align with our own and I think this will work well for both parties.

“We’re very much looking forward to launching the new-look concept stores and can’t wait to help customers, new and old, discover what makes a house a Barker and Stonehouse.”

The move will see the Newcastle furniture floor completely reconfigured and realigned to house new trend-led room sets and visual displays.

Set to launch ahead of Christmas 2021, there’ll be a carefully selected range of the high-quality stylish furniture and accessories for which Barker and Stonehouse is renowned across the UK. Inspirational styling will also be a feature bringing a wow factor to the new look floor and giving customers plenty of ideas for their own homes.

Fenwick is the largest family-owned group of department stores in the UK and Barker and Stonehouse is the latest much-loved brand to make up the flagship store’s sophisticated shopping space.

Hazel Ayers, director of Buying Home & Beauty at Fenwick, said: “Fenwick is excited to welcome award winning Barker and Stonehouse to our stores in Newcastle and Kingston, as well as to Fenwick.co.uk, as we look to expand our home offer to meet our growing customer demand for contemporary home furniture.”

2021 marks an important milestone for Barker and Stonehouse as it celebrates 75 years in business. To mark the occasion, the store has launched exciting design collaborations, sustainability initiatives and a raft of new products, many of which will be available in the new Fenwick concept stores.