Popular Swedish fashion retailer, H&M, opened its brand new store at the Dolphin Shopping Centre in Poole on Wednesday.
The launch attracted hundreds of shoppers and an orderly queue was formed from 7am outside the centre. The first 200 customers in the queue received an exclusive H&M goodie bag and a 25 per cent discount wristband to be redeemed at the launch.
H&M staff performed a choreographed dance routine before the ribbon cutting and live in-store entertainment continued throughout the day.
John Grinnell, centre manager at the Dolphin Shopping Centre, commented: “It was wonderful to see so many people supporting the launch of the centre’s latest store. There was a real buzz when the ribbon was officially cut and the new H&M store was declared officially open.
“We’re confident the new store is going to be a huge draw for local residents and visitors alike. It’s been a really exciting year for the centre, with a whole host of top brands joining our line-up of retailers.”
H&M has taken the former BHS unit, occupying 27,000 sq. ft. over two levels. The store provides full ranges of women’s, men’s and childrenswear.
Abigail Grant, 25, from Wool, at the front of the queue to get into H&M, said: “We got here at around 7.10am. I am looking for men’s and children’s clothes. I used to live in London and H&M was always my go-to store. This will be my closest H&M store now.”
Legal & General reached an agreement with the Borough of Poole last year to restructure the existing headlease arrangements into a single, longer lease unlocking a £26million programme of investment. The 18-month improvement programme, currently underway, is focusing on an internal mall refresh, improvements to the open-air Falkland Square and Kingland Crescent and a redevelopment of the former Argos building to create a new nine-screen Empire cinema with four restaurants.
Other retailers that have opened at the centre during the refresh, include Deichmann, the German shoe retailer, Smiggle, the fashion-forward stationery brand, JD, the leading trainer and sports fashion retailer and an upgraded New Look store.
For more information about the Dolphin Shopping Centre, visit www.dolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk