Retail week interiors - Lakeland devises natural theme for Windermere flagship growth

Homewares retailer Lakeland is expanding and refurbishing its Windermere flagship. The store’s new face, which is being created by Lumsden Design Partnership, will see it grow from 7,700 (715 sq m) to 12,000 sq ft (1,115 sq m).

The plan includes a two-storey extension, refurbishment of the cafe, new staircases, display walls and units, and a curved glass balustrade.

Due for completion at the beginning of April, the project is part of a£6 million initiative that will double the size of Lakeland’s head office.

The move follows the relocation of Lakeland’s mail-order packing operation to a new distribu-tion centre in nearby Kendal.

Lakeland marketing director Julian Raymer said that because the store is ‘situated within the unique position of a national park, it will use local stone and materials to fit into the environment, including a roof that will be literally ‘green’, because it is planted with sedum’.

He added: ‘The old store was very cramped. The new one will be far more spacious, with seating areas, personal shoppers and a new shopfit.’

Lumsden Design Partnership managing director Calum Lumsden said: ‘The Windermere store is about bringing the outside inside, with furniture and trees on the exterior being continued within.’

A tree inside an atrium will form the store’s central focus, and the triple-height space will feature oak and silver-grey slate flooring. Build and fit-out will be by Multibuild, with equipment provided by London-based Interior Systems.

Commenting on Lakeland’s future, Raymer said: ‘If our plans come to fruition, we expect to open three stores in 2004.’ Lakeland has 26 shops at the moment.