Fashion retailer Benetton is to open a store in Huddersfield town centre after a gap of many years.
The store will open on Saturday, March 29, at New Street in premises formerly occupied by Beaumont’s Opticians.
At present, Benetton operates a concession at Peter’s department store in King Street, but will relocate to the new outlet, which will display collections for ladieswear and childrenswear.
Benetton for some years had a store at High Street.
The new store will be run by businesswoman Helen Blakeman, of Meltham, who operates the concession and has more than 15 years experience in the fashion sector. Her staff at the concession will move with the business to the new site and an extra two part-time positions will be created to bring the total to seven.
A spokesman for Benetton said: “Helen operates the concession in Peters and has developed the business through the recent tough retail times and needed more space to develop the business further.
“The new store will more than double the current space offered and will be one of the larger non-flagship stores.”
Several Huddersfield companies have been heavily involved in the project. Woven Marketing, based in The Media Centre, was given the brief by Benetton Group to create the look of the new store. Others involved were air conditoning specialists Crowther & Shaw, ASP Maintenance, Ian Foulger Decorators and Ramsdens Solicitors.
The Benetton brand has grown from humble beginnings in Ponzano Veneto, Italy, in 1965. It began when Giuliana Benetton started knitting sweaters and other garments, which she and her brother Luciano Benetton decided to sell them. The first Benetton shop in Belluno with another following soon after in Paris.
During the 1980s and 1990s the firm had a reputation for pushing the envelope when it came to taste in advertising.
Click below to see a gallery of controversial ads from the firm
Now its ranges are sold in more than 6,500 outlets worldwide and the brand is represented in 120 countries through franchised and company-operated stores.
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