Norwegian outdoorwear brand Helly Hansen is to open its first mainstream retail store in the UK, in Manchester’s Arndale Centre in the autumn.

A spokeswoman for the brand said that work was under way for an 1,800 sq ft shop to open in late September or early October, but that the shape of the interior was still under consideration and final plans had yet to be signed off.

The Manchester branch will carry a new store concept, created in-house at the brand’s headquarters in Moss, Norway.

The opening will be followed in October by a 3,500 sq ft flagship in Oslo using the same design blueprint. Currently, standalone Helly Hansen stores are confined to the outlet centre sector in the UK, with Bridgend Design Outlet, Gloucester Quays and Bicester Village, all having units, although the brand is stocked extensively by UK outdoorwear retailers, including Blacks.

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