Barker and Stonehouse announces expansion of Fenwick store concept

North East furniture seller Barker and Stonehouse has significantly expanded the size of its concession in Fenwick's flagship Northumberland Street store.

The homeware retailer hailed a successful three years of its "store-within-a-store" concept which first launched in 2021 as a showroom featuring the family-run firm's range of furniture and accessories. Now, a 6,000 sqft expansion has enlarged the refurbished space to 14,000 sqft, which Barker and Stonehouse says accommodates a greater choice of products and a better shopping experience for customers of its furniture and homewares.

As well as new studio spaces, the larger concession space includes a sleep studio which will feature well-known brands such as Harrison Spinks, Tempur and Vispring. It will open on Friday.

The two brands have also worked together at Fenwick's Kingston store, Bentall's, where floorspace was doubled in Autumn 2023 following similar success. Both the Newcastle and Kingston concessions were launched in 2021 as Stockton-based Barker and Stonehouse celebrated its 75th anniversary, having opened its first store in the North East in 1946.

James Barker, managing director of Barker and Stonehouse, said: "We are thrilled to unveil our expanded concept store at Fenwick Newcastle. Following a fantastic response from our customers in Newcastle, we are delighted to double the size of our floor space and offer an even greater product selection along with a refreshed look and feel. We look forward to welcoming both new and loyal customers into store where they can enjoy an enhanced shopping experience."

Last month Fenwick reported figures for the year to the end of January 2024 in which it narrowed losses and described a challenging year. The historic retailer has invested extensively in its Newcastle site - working with another North East luminary, Greggs, on its Bistro concept which returned as a champagne bar pop-up this year.

It has developed its food and drink offer further with the opening of Barbour Tea and Toasties, a new Mother Mercy cocktail bar and classic tearoom Fred's on the lower ground floor, in addition to an extended pop-up from Northumberland Michelin-starred restaurant Hyem.

Meanwhile Fenwick bosses said there would be further development of products under its own food label, Fenwick at Home, and more investment in its restaurant offer including tapas and pizza eatery Fuego and high end patisserie Mason & Rye.

Barker and Stonehouse's expanded involvement at the Northumberland Street store follows the closure of its Leazes Park Road site amid a significant investment in a new flagship Tyneside site at the Metrocentre Retail Park in Gateshead, which opened in April 2023.