Two more new shops have opened in Bath city centre as it maintains its fightback against the retail slowdown.
The arrival of premium men's clothing brand Rodd & Gunn on Broad Street, pictured, and Arlo & Jacob, the handcrafted British furniture store chain, on New Bond Street follows a number of other retailers opening in the city.
These include luxury bedding firm Piglet in Bed on Old Bond Street and jeweller Monica Vinader and sustainable fashion brand Albaray, both on New Bond Street.
Also earlier this summer retail giant Marks & Spencer announced it is to relocate its Bath store to a new flagship site in SouthGate in a move it said would guarantee a future for the iconic M&S brand in the city.
M&S is to move into the 122,000 sq ft former Debenhams store from its current home on nearby Stall Street, which it has occupied since the 1960s.
M&S said the £17m investment would allow it to offer “the very best shopping experience for its customers” as well as keeping the brand in the city.
Arlo & Jacob’s new Bath store is the group’s 10th across the UK while Rodd & Gunn’s outlet in the city is its latest in the UK as it continues its global expansion, including recent openings in Manhattan, Toronto, and Edinburgh.
In the past year, Arlo & Jacob – which sells furniture in a range of styles from traditional to ultra-contemporary, pictured, – has almost doubled its bricks and mortar offering in a move it said would better serve its loyal customers.
Meanwhile New Zealand brand Rodd & Gunn said its Bath store was an ideal space of heritage architecture to house what it called its timeless collections.
The firm has just over 200 stores and concessions across New Zealand, Australia, America, Canada, UK, France, Italy and Belgium.
Rodd & Gunn chief executive officer Michael Beagley said: “We are thrilled to bring our New Zealand menswear brand to the vibrant city of Bath.
“This store represents our commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and timeless style. We look forward to becoming a part of the Bath community and offering our customers a unique shopping experience that reflects the best of New Zealand design.”
While Bath has not been immune from the huge changes that have devasted many high streets and retail centres across the country over recent years, as a catchment area for well-heeled shoppers and tourists it remains a sought-after location for premium retail brands.
The city’s main SouthGate shopping centre, which opened 15 years ago, is currently fully let.
Rodd & Gubb images by Pete Helme Photography
