Sneak peek: former Browns of Chester primed for Harrods’ H Beauty makeover
After three years of sitting vacant, the ex-department store on Eastgate Row could be partially filled – with the luxury retailer submitting plans for a nearly 24,000 sq ft shop.
H Beauty is an offshoot of the famous Harrods department store in London’s Knightsbridge district, with stores already in Gateshead, Edinburgh, Milton Keynes, Bristol, Essex. H Beauty stores offers a variety of wares from premium beauty retailers, as well as spa treatments, masterclass workshops, and a champagne bar.
These will all be coming to Chester, should Cheshire West and Chester Council grant planning permission. H Beauty estimates that it will create 70 full-time jobs when operational in the city, as well as 47 part-time ones.
H Beauty would offer premium beauty products from the likes of Charlotte Tilbury, Dior, and K18. Credit: via planning documents
If its planning permission bid is successful, H Beauty would take up the ground floor of 34 and 36 Eastgate Row. This is only part of the 150,000 sq ft former Browns of Chester, which was more recently a Debenhams. The grade one-listed building was acquired by Martin Property Group in 2022. Martin Property Group also owns the nearby Grosvenor Shopping Centre.
As part of its retail strategy for the Browns of Chester building, Martin Property Group is dividing it into smaller units. The developer has already recruited fire engineer Jensen Hughes to create a strategy for modernising the building, which, in the case of H Beauty, will include covering a series of 20th-century decorative architectural elements on the ceiling of the unit for their preservation.
The shop would have a modern aesthetic, in keeping with the H Beauty brand – as well as ceilings painted Harrods green. Credit: via planning documents
Virgile + Partners has crafted the designs for H Beauty at the historic building, with Donald Insall Associates on hand as the heritage consultant.
Carl Critchlow, chief executive of Chester BID, welcomed the news that Harrods was pursuing a location in Chester, calling it “a real show of confidence in the future of the city”.
Critchlow continued: “I know all the parties involved have been working hard to make this happen so well done to all involved, especially the Martin Property Group who have delivered on their promise to invest in Chester.
“We’ve seen an influx of new and returning businesses over the last 12 months, including high-end menswear brand Oliver Brown opening their first store outside London and Mountain Warehouse returning to open Foregate Street while our F&B continues to thrive,” he said. “The arrival of Harrods Beauty will be a real game changer, complementing the existing Chester offer while attracting a new audience and helping to drive footfall.”
You can learn more about the scheme by searching application reference numbers 24/03676/LBC and 24/03677/ADV on Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning portal.
Designs by Virgile + Partners give a taste of what H Beauty may look like in Chester. Credit: via planning documents
Every day’s a school day. For years I’ve assumed that the Grosvenor Shopping Centre was part of the Grosvenor Estate.
Shows you how wrong you can be!
By Keith L
I’m so looking forward to the Browns building getting a new lease of life. It will breathe life back into the Grosvenor Shopping Centre and The Rows. Chester needs this!
By Sheila
Fingers crossed that it will be given the go-ahead . . . and perhaps offer more than make-up.
By Anonymous
Have you ever considered offering the remaining space to John Lewis at a preferential rate? It would give them once again a city presence and encourage many more retailers to follow suit.
By Kelsall resident
Nice idea about John Lewis. But I don’t think they would be interested. It would cost to much to refit. Harrods are taking a small section. Joh Lewis would want a much larger space.
By Mark
Glad that the Building is being brought back into you – it really has been a sad shame on the high street. Glad it will create jobs, and heopfully footfall will open up bigger opportunities. Such a shame that it’s losing the “Browns of Chester” identity.
By Anonymous