Fenwick redesign will 'enhance' Christmas window

Fenwick's new store design will make its displays more engaging to shoppers, planners say

Fenwick's future Christmas window displays will be "enhanced" after plans to redesign its Newcastle shopfront were approved.

The department store on Northumberland Street will see its main entrance moved to the middle of the shop and a canopy added.

The plans were approved by Newcastle City Council and will coincide with its regeneration of Northumberland Street.

Councillor Alex Hay said Fenwick's investment was a "great sign of confidence" in the city.

An artist's impression of how the redesigned shopfront will look

The plans for the new shopfront are based on some of the site's original features from the 1880s and include a permanent canopy on the front of the building, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A council planner's report said restoring an entrance to the middle of the building would provide "better engagement" with the public.

Hugo Fenwick, the store’s development director, said: “We’re delighted to have received approval from the council to transform the frontage of our Newcastle store at the same time as the significant improvements being carried out to Northumberland Street itself."

'Much-loved local spectacle'

Fenwick's planning application said the redesign would "enhance the experience of Christmas window displays".

It added that the visibility of the windows to younger children had been “carefully considered” when drawing up the designs.

A Fenwick spokesperson: "In future years, these works will enhance the store and the window display, ensuring the Christmas window remains a much-loved local spectacle for many years to come."

The council planner's report added that with the entrance in the middle of the building, the store's window displays will "provide views both into and out of the shop", allowing passers by to "engage with the store". 

The redesign is part of Fenwick's £40m investment programme announced in 2022 to mark the chain's 140th anniversary.

• In pictures: Newcastle's Fenwick celebrates 140 years

Fenwick's refurbishment will take place in the new year at the same time as the council begins regeneration work on Northumberland Street.

New lighting pillars, paving, seating and plants will be installed along the High Street.

Mr Hay said: "This much-loved department store has a special place in the hearts of the people of the North East, and it’s a great sign of confidence in our city that Fenwick is investing in this new frontage that will make their store look even more elegant."