Caffè Nero, the 560-strong coffee chain led by Gerry Ford, has opened a new site at Bluewater shopping centre in Kent, which has been designed to look like it is part of a traditional high street.
The new 1,729sq ft unit, which is the company first standalone site at the centre, includes a brick effect façade complete with a timber-framed feature window. It is thought that elements of the new design will be used by the group at new openings and selected established sites going forward.
Ben Price, finance director at Caffè Nero, said: “Our preference is usually for traditional town and city centre high streets, but Bluewater is a rare exception to the rule. It offers us everything we look for: great architecture, good service, and very large numbers of coffee lovers.”
Guy Thomas, head of retail leasing at Lend Lease, said: “A key element of the Bluewater’s success is providing guests with a varied experience, of which leisure is a vital component. Caffè Nero’s location in the upper Rose Gallery, Bluewater’s equivalent of a traditional high street, is therefore perfect.
“That they have used this as an opportunity to introduce a great new concept is just as important, however, and reflects the strong desire amongst brands to make the most of the unique opportunity that Bluewater represents.”
