Former Co-op gets contemporary makeover as luxury fashion retailer moves in

The Transforming Nuneaton programme has been instrumental in a designer clothes shop moving into the former Co-op building in the town.

Transforming Nuneaton is an initiative between Warwickshire County Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council (NBBC) and the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) to transform Nuneaton town centre with a mixed-use regeneration scheme to boost economic growth.

The former Co-op department store was acquired by NBBC in January 2019, with Warwickshire County Council contributing to the cost.

Much work has gone into preserving the classic Art Deco features as well as regenerating the physical and economically obsolete parts of the building for the arrival of the contemporary LABEL store which sells luxury fashion and designer brands.

The independent retailer, which was formerly based at Dugdale Street, is settling into its new premises within the former Co-op building on Queens Road and has created five jobs.

A LABEL spokesperson said: “We are very happy to have been able to work closely with NBBC who understood our vision to create a beautiful space for luxury fashion.

“The store is designed with every detail taken into consideration, finishes include polished concrete floors and Italian micro cement finish to the walls as well as custom bespoke furniture and art inspired fixtures.

“LABEL has been established as a designer store in Nuneaton since 1995, but in the past few years the focus has changed to turning LABEL into a higher level of ‘luxury fashion’, we work with some of the biggest and most exclusive fashion houses in the world such as Moncler, Fendi, Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and more, and we have acquired even more amazing brands for the upcoming seasons ahead.

“The new store has seen customers coming to Nuneaton from far and wide, which was always our intention. Including TV personalities, professional athletes and UK chart musicians, we are certainly creating a great following which can only be good for our town. Plus, since re-locating we have created a further five new job opportunities.

“We feel proud to be the first store to open and be the face of the new up-and coming project in Nuneaton town centre around the old Co-op scheme. It has been a testing time for us all globally with Covid-19, but a great positive for our town to have a beautiful boutique with so many international brands available on our doorstep.”

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “This news comes at such an important and significant time. With the retail market being so badly hit due to the Covid

pandemic, and concerns for employment, it is great to hear of the additional jobs that this has created.

“The high-end fashion offer is very much in keeping with our vision for Nuneaton’s town centre and will project a strong, positive image for the transformation scheme.”

Cllr Julie Jackson, leader of NBBC, said: “It is great to see the Co-op building breathe a new lease of life with this contemporary unit. The introduction of LABEL comes at a crucial time and will no doubt help attract visitors and boost the economy of the town centre.

“I’m also hoping the move will help to kick-start interest in the Co-op regeneration by showing what a fantastic base the premises is for new businesses.”

The CWLEP has also awarded almost £900,000 to Nuneaton among its priority list of infrastructure projects to receive Government funding as part of the Getting Building Fund.

The upper floors of the former Co-op building will be transformed into a business hub to provide office and workshop space for new creative and innovative SMEs in the town centre.

Caption: The Transforming Nuneaton logo