Barker and Stonehouse has opened its £5m flagship store.
Actor Joanna Lumley opened the Gateshead store earlier this morning before talking about her career and a book signing.
The store has been two years in the making and has a number of features, including an events and co-working space called The Nook, 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.
The area will host a programme of special events and activities.
The top floor has an indoor/outdoor cafe bistro, run by leading North-East restaurateur Daryl Chadwick.
‘While Barker and Stonehouse has 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,’ says James Barker, Barker and Stonehouse md.
‘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.’
