Oliver Bonas has signed for its first store in Essex, with the retailer securing a 4,000ft² regional flagship at Aquila Holdings’ Bond Street mall in Chelmsford. Set to open this summer, Oliver Bonas is one of five new brands to have committed to Bond Street post-lockdown as the centre demonstrates its resilience and ability to attract the best retail and culinary operators. Situated adjacent to The White Company, Hotel Chocolat and Tag Heuer, Oliver Bonas will trade on the ground floor, showcasing its complete fashion, homewares, beauty, jewellery and accessories ranges. Founded in 1993, Oliver Bonas has 70 stores in the UK. In addition to Oliver Bonas, Aquila has also signed Clarendon Fine Art and Giggling Squid.
Dominic Chambers, Managing Director of Aquila, commented: “These lettings reaffirm Bond Street as the region’s premium shopping and leisure destination. Oliver Bonas, Clarendon Fine Art and Giggling Squid complement and strengthen our aspirational tenant mix, while the collaborations with Spritz Social and The Pop-Up Club have energised our outdoor space and provided a platform for local independent traders within the destination. Delivering all of them post-covid is testament to Bond Street’s ability to attract the best brands, keen to capitalise on such a wealthy and loyal demographic. We are delighted the five have signed and our team has worked hard with each to create new reasons for our customers to visit.”
A spokesperson for Oliver Bonas added: “Bond Street is the perfect home for Oliver Bonas, with its open-air nature, architecture and line-up of retailers and restaurants all complementing our brand. Our Bond Street flagship will showcase Oliver Bonas to the region, and we are counting down the days to opening.”
Andy Laurillard, co-founder of Giggling Squid, added: “Bond Street is the ideal location for Giggling Squid. It has a character and appeal that suits our brand, and it is very evident from the high footfall there is great customer loyalty. We’re excited to bring our fresh Thai food to the area and can’t wait to welcome the local community.”
