The Grafton Cambridge Signs New River Island Store

The shopping center is nearing the completion of a £28.5 million refurbishment programme.

River Island has signed to open a new full-sized store at The Grafton, Cambridge’s only shopping destination to offer a retail, leisure and F&B mix. The fashion retailer is relocating from its River Island Boutique store within the center, which is upsizing by 260%. The announcement comes as the 500,000 sq ft center nears the completion of a 24-month, £28.5 million refurbishment programme. 
 
One of the High Street’s most well-known fashion brands, River Island will open in a newly reconfigured 9,110 sq ft anchor unit, taking a prominent position within the newly revitalized Fitzroy Street mall. Retail space has been redesigned to meet the popular fashion brand’s specification requirements, as part of the refurbishment to create new units, attract new retailers and increase footfall to the center.

Frances Baker, Property Director at River Island, said: “It’s been great to be able to work with the team behind The Grafton to design our new larger store. The new space will include our latest look-and-feel concept and will allow us to showcase a wider selection of our most popular ranges for our customers in Cambridge.”

Investment by retailers into their stores at The Grafton further demonstrates confidence in the scheme. Recognising the potential of the Cambridge market and its presence at The Grafton as a great potential for improved sales, the Debenhams store is currently undergoing a significant refurbishment. The retailer will introduce its new ‘beauty hall of the future’ concept, upgrade its F&B offer and make improvements to the store fit-out. It will also introduce a number of new cosmetic and fashion brands to the store which will join the existing brand-line-up including Coast, Phase Eight, Monsoon, Ben Sherman, Levi’s, Clarins, Clinique, Estee Lauder, and Benefit.