Member Article

Barker and Stonehouse begin multi-million store and head office build

Family furniture retailer Barker and Stonehouse has started work on its £4.5 million head office and store development in Stockton, which is due to be open next year.

The Teesside brand is building its new property on the site of the former Springs Health Club at the entrance to Teesside Retail Park, which is currently being demolished.

Archial Norr Architects designed the store in close consultation with James Barker and Dennis McLuckie of McLuckie Projects.

The trio worked together on the design of the Barker and StonehouseKnaresborough store which opened in early 2013, and is the only retail building in the town with an environmental BREAM rating of “very good.”

Project manager Dennis McLuckie said: “The new store will provide a flagship building on this gateway site of the retail park. It will really enhance the visual quality of the existing retail environment, while also sitting sympathetically within the natural landscape.”

McLuckie Projects is overseeing the build and working with a team of specialist contractors and engineers on-site, including Bucklers of Middlesbrough who is handling the demolition.

The Teesside development will feature an in-store café, two floors of retail space spread over 4,827sqm and a large car park for nearly 100 cars.

Site manager Dennis McLuckie added: “It’s great to be on-site and able to get started with the project. We’re hoping to begin the construction phase in early July and to be weather-tight by Christmas.”

Barker and Stonehouse is one of Teesside’s flagship home-grown businesses, bringing national recognition in the style and quality stakes to the area.

The firm was founded in Stockton in 1946. It has grown significantly since then and now has showcase stores in London and across the country which have drawn awards and praise from national media and architectural bodies.

James Barker, managing director of Barker and Stonehouse, said: “This is going to be a spectacular store and will be a great asset to the Teesside Retail Park and wider Teesside area.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .