Early Christmas present for shoppers as Dunelm opens new Beverley superstore

Store Manager Stuart Welburn, left, and David Donkin, Wykeland Group Property Director, at the opening of the new Dunelm superstore at the Flemingate. Picture: Richard Addison Photography.

Shoppers were given an early Christmas present with the opening of a new Dunelm superstore at Flemingate just in time for some last-minute shopping.

The UK’s No.1 homewares retailer has become the new anchor operator at the East Yorkshire retail and leisure destination after taking over the 41,000 sq ft, two-storey former Debenhams department store.

Dunelm has taken a 10-year lease on the unit to bring its new multi-department superstore format to the centre. It opened with festive music, food and drinks to mark the occasion.

Shoppers received free goody bags and Dunelm gift cards, and complimentary hot drinks and cupcakes were available.

A brass band provided seasonal music for customers to shop to and Father Christmas also made a guest appearance at the store, which has created 40 jobs.

Store Manager Stuart Welburn said: “We’re really excited to open our new superstore and welcome so many happy shoppers.

“The store offers all the latest Dunelm concepts and new products and is a fantastic addition to the retail offer at Flemingate.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be here, providing customers will an exceptional shopping experience in this thriving location.”

Dunelm’s opening is a further major boost to Flemingate, which is owned and operated by Hull-based property developer Wykeland Group, following recent openings by other market leaders.

David Donkin, Wykeland Property Director, said: “The opening of the new Dunelm superstore at Flemingate is the perfect early Christmas present for shoppers.

“Dunelm taking over this unit, and in doing so becoming the new anchor tenant, is testament to the strength of the centre and the vitality of Beverley as a retail marketplace.

“Flemingate is now almost fully let, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, meaning it offers greater choice, variety and an even better experience for customers than ever before.”

The new store features well-known departments including curtains to cookshop, Made to Measure and a Decorate & Co-ordinate department, including Dunelm’s new range of own brand paints and a Take Home Today furniture department.

It also includes a Dunelm’s own Pausa coffee shop, serving freshly-ground Arabica coffee and a range of sandwiches, cakes and treats for shoppers to enjoy.

Customers were certainly impressed by their first visit to the store.

Elaine and Michael Coan were the first inside after queueing from 6.45am, ahead of the 8am opening on Thursday.

Elaine said: “It looks brilliant and we’re so excited to have Dunelm on our doorstep. It will bring even more people to Flemingate and is a very good addition to the area.”

The store is the latest addition to Dunelm’s network of more than 170 outlets across the country.

Dunelm is regarded as the UK’s leading homewares retailer, with an unrivalled range, including exclusive brands and own-label products, and a growing presence in the furniture market. It has 50,000 product lines and is renowned for helping customers create homes they love by offering choice, value, quality and style.

The Dunelm superstore launch at Flemingate follows the opening of a store bringing together Sports Direct, the UK’s leading sportswear and sports equipment retailer, and streetwear and fashion brand USC. Other arrivals at Flemingate in recent months have included a Vintage & Co hair and beauty salon and a One Stop convenience store.

Opened in 2015 as Beverley’s largest ever regeneration scheme, Flemingate features a mix of leading national retail and leisure brands and local independents. It is also home to East Riding College’s Beverley campus, an 80-bed Premier Inn hotel, six-screen Parkway digital cinema and 130 homes.

The Debenhams store at Flemingate shut in May this year as part of a national closure programme after the department store group went into administration.

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