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Mar

Last Updated: 12/03/2024

Business

Sneak Peek: New-look Halls of Ripon reopening tomorrow

by Tim Flanagan

| 12 Mar, 2024

The new-look Halls of Ripon is set to reopen tomorrow morning

Halls of Ripon, the city's only department store, will re-open with new traders from tomorrow morning (Wednesday, March 13).

The store on Fishergate closed for a major revamp and reconfiguration in January.

Ahead of tomorrow's reopening, the Stray Ferret was invited for a sneak peek at the new-look layout.

Halls of Ripon director Mike Cooper (pictured above) said:

"For the next few days, entry will be via the Marshall Way Car Park entrance and Hive Cafe - which has remained open throughout the reconfiguration works."

He added:

"Following discussions with our landlord, we decided that it was safe to allow customers in to the part of the building where the refurbishment has already been completed. The remaining works on the Fishergate frontage is ongoing."

The reconfiguration has increased floorspace and Mr Cooper added:

"We will be reopening with new entrants including Timeless Treasures (archaeological finds) Dennis Fielding (antiques and collectables) and Signature Baby Boutique."

Owned by Ripon-based property investment and development company Sterne Properties Ltd, the former Wrens store re-opened under its new Halls of Ripon branding in July 2021.

Operations director Barry Cooper, who works alongside his father Mike and runs the Red Buttons Jewellers in Halls, said:

"We anticipated that the post-covid bounce back for Ripon retail would be led by the city's strong mix of independent businesses and we got it right.

"The proof of the pudding can be seen in the fact that we are expanding when many of the big names on the high street are downsizing their portfolios and closing stores."

He added:

"We're sure that Peacocks who opened a few doors down from us at the end of February, and Trespass who opened in the former Barclays Bank building in November, will have chosen Ripon ahead of other locations.

"This is because Ripon's mixture of independent retailers and hospitality businesses, combined with affordable parking and £2 fares on the 36 bus all make this historic city an attractive proposition."

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Sneak Peek: New-look Halls of Ripon reopening tomorrow

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