ICONIC North East furniture company Barker and Stonehouse is set to break new ground with the opening of a new £5m flagship store in Gateshead.
The family-owned business, which opened its first store in Stockton in 1946, will open the doors on what will be its 12th main store on Friday when actress Joanna Lumley will perform the opening ceremony and take part in a discussion about her life and work.
The new store, which is on Gibside Way next to the Metrocentre Retail Park, has been two years in the making and has been designed with sustainability ingrained in its blueprint and a number of unique features.
- To get your tickets for the BUSINESSiQ Awards, CLICK HERE
As well as the latest furnishings in Barker and Stonehouse’s range, the new Gateshead store will feature an events and co-working space called The Nook. It has free Wi-Fi access, and is a space that encourages visitors to stay a while, relax, meet friends or work from the specially designed oak and glass hot-desk bar and lounge area.
Leading designers and makers, along with interior and design influencers, will be delivering an ongoing programme of special events and activities in The Nook, for customers and the public.
The top floor has an indoor/outdoor café bistro, run by leading North East restaurateur, Daryl Chadwick. The lunch menu focuses on Mediterranean specialities served in a family and sharing-plate style. The café also serves breakfasts and brunch.
James Barker, Managing Director at Barker and Stonehouse, said: “Whilst Barker and Stonehouse is a national brand with stores across the country, the North East is very much still our home so we are thrilled to be investing in the region and to be bringing our latest ideas and products to its people.
“The Gateshead store opens a new chapter in the company's 77-year history and has some fantastic unique design features that I’m hoping our customers will really enjoy and make use of, such as our co-working lounge and our bistro.
“The store has been designed to be a really restful, organic space, and showcases some truly exceptional furniture. It will be great seeing how customers respond to what we’ve done with the store and the mix of furniture, lighting and accessories we’ve sourced.”
As well as being easily accessible by public transport, the store – on the site of the former Snow + Rock outlet - will have a dedicated car park with electric vehicle charging points.
Barker and Stonehouse was founded in 1946 by James Barker’s grandfather Charles Barker and Alex Stonehouse with a mission to enliven the living rooms of Britain.
Read next:
- LEVEL UP LIVE: North East business leaders reveal skills and training strategies
- Coherent announces job losses at Newton Aycliffe
- Deloitte could open new office in Darlington
Since then, the company has grown to employ over 440 people with an annual turnover of nearly £100m.
Alongside its 12 main stores, Barker and Stonehouse also operates two Concept Stores, one within Fenwick’s Newcastle upon Tyne flagship outlet, and the other in Bentalls in Kingston upon Thames, two Outlet Stores and four Warehousing Distribution Centres.
It also has a thriving online store at www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel