House of Fraser will be opening its first store at an out of town retail and leisure complex at the £140 million Rushden Lakes development in Northants.
The newly constructed department store will not only be House of Fraser’s first store to open in nearly nine years, it will also be the retailer’s first sustainable and green store, according to a statement.
The department store giant will have 64,000 sq ft of retail space, with over 50 premium and high street brands.
House of Fraser at Rushden Lakes meets the BREEAM sustainable building certification, the world’s leading sustainability assessment scheme for buildings. It specifies requirements for the building and operations to maximize its performance in terms of energy and climate change, resource, water and waste management It also takes into account that the Rushden Lakes development is adjacent to protected natural habitats. House of Fraser has partnered with The Wildlife Trust BCN, who are managing these wildlife habitats. The interior of House of Fraser at Rushden Lakes is designed to connect with the natural setting. It will include unique features such as a living wall of plants.
Designed by the Green Infrastructure Consultancy, the living wall will be 6 metres wide and 8 metres tall spanning over two floors positioned next to the escalators. It will be home to more than 2,000 indoor plants including species such as the familiar Philodendron and more unusual plants like Chinese Evergreen.
Dr Dorothy Maxwell, Head of Sustainability at House of Fraser said: “Being sensitive to the wildlife in and around Rushden Lakes has been a priority for House of Fraser as well as making the store meet high environmental standards. As a responsible retailer, we are delighted to be based in such as beautiful natural setting and aim to protect it and share this experience with our customers.”
A luxury Champagne bar will open on the first floor with elevated views across the lakes, and the Italian Coffee house, Caffé Nero, will open on the ground floor.
Rushden Lakes is owned by the Crown Estate which is funding the £140 million scheme which brings together shopping in the most unique setting. Surrounded by 200 acres of wetlands, managed by The Wildlife Trust, the retail park concept is a one of a kind that proactively brings together shopping and eating alongside more unusual outdoor actives such as canoeing.
A spokesperson for The Crown Estate, said: “We are excited to welcome House of Fraser to Rushden Lakes, a shopping and leisure destination like no other. House of Fraser is an anchor retailer for Rushden Lakes and will bring a host of exciting new fashion brands, fabulous beauty and the best in homeware to Northamptonshire.”
The huge shopping complex is due to start to open in just a few weeks and then throughout August at the site of a former dry ski slope off the A45, with Marks & Spencer expected to open on July 28.
Find out more at rushdenlakes.com
