Paul Smith boosts Heathrow fashion revolution

Print Article E-Mail Article

BAA announced this week that the world's first ever Paul Smith airport store is among the fashion store openings scheduled at London Heathrow airport terminal 3 in the next few months

The 827sq ft Paul Smith store will offer menswear and jewellery and also a selection of globes, antique cameras and a collection of watches and pens exclusive to the airport. Also included is a new autumn-winter range of women's accessories.

Heathrow airport T3, dubbed the "new Bond Street" in the UK Elle magazine recently, will also see two other first-time airport retail ventures. Lingerie specialist and royal warrant holder Rigby & Peller will open a 558sq ft store in spring 2003 selling their own label lingerie and other specialist and designer brands. Opticians David Clullow will open a 450sq ft store in the new year selling fashion-led sunglasses and optical frames.

A new 550sq ft Christian Dior boutique will also open in spring 2003. Building on the success of its first airport store at Gatwick, shoe retailer Kurt Geiger will open a 1,219sq ft store in T3 at the same time, joining Folli-Follie, Pringle, Escada, Hugo Boss and other recent entries to the terminal.

BAA retail director UK airports Colin Hargarve said, "T3's final look will not be unveiled until spring 2003 when we will have a total retail space of 85,500sq ft. We plan to gradually reveal the highlights through a series of phased developments that will make this location as exciting as London's top fashion districts."

In other news BAA said the Caviar House Seafood Bar concept is about to be complemented by the new Caviar House Best of Britain store, a 647sq ft unit offering fine foods. Boots and electronics retailer Dixons have recently completed refurbishments with an emphasis on colourful interiors. Harrods will be opening an additional store in Heathrow T3 in December 2002 specialising in toys as well as extending their existing outlet.