The Stray Ferret understands independent fashion retailer Jules B is set to close its Harrogate store.
The womenswear boutique, which took on the former Jaeger unit on Cambridge Crescent, opened in September 2022.
It is one of five Jules B stores, with two each in Jesmond in Newcastle-upon- Tyne and Kendal in Cumbria.
However, the Stray Ferret today received multiple reports to say that the Harrogate branch will close next week.
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Owners Julian and Rhonda Blades opened the doors of their first womenswear store in 1984, in Jesmond.
The company, which also has an online store, now employs more than 80 people.
It sells a range of high-end brands, including Ganni, Le Specs, Paul Smith and Vivienne Westwood.
The Stray Ferret has approached Jules B for comment but has not had an immediate response.
Fashion retailer Jules B set to open new Harrogate store tomorrowLuxury fashion retailer Jules B is set to open a new store in Harrogate tomorrow.
The boutique, which will be in the former Jaeger unit on Cambridge Crescent, will sell womenswear.
The retailer offers collections by designers including Oska, Holland Cooper, NU London, Rag and Bone and Barbour International.
Owners Julian Blades and his wife, Rhona, opened their first womenswear store in Jesmond in 1984.
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Mr Blades said its brands “will be perfect for the sophisticated customer demographic in Harrogate and surrounding areas”.
He added:
“After years of planning to find the perfect location, our newest and biggest store in Harrogate is an inspiring womenswear shopping destination that covers two fantastic floors.
“We knew the time was right when the old Jaeger unit became available as it perfectly suits the Jules B aesthetic.”
An official launch event will take place on September 22.
Jules B to open in Harrogate in SeptemberLuxury fashion retailer Jules B said today it hopes to open in Harrogate in September.
The Stray Ferret revealed in April the company planned to trade in the former Jaeger unit on Cambridge Crescent.
The retailer sells women’s designer brands including Holland Cooper, Hayley Menzies, Stine Goya, Oska and Lurdes Bergada.
The Harrogate shop, which will be the company’s sixth store, has been empty since Jaeger cleared its stock in January last year. But it is now set to reopen in the second week of September.
The shop, which will sell womenswear only, will feature an autumn and winter collection when it opens.
An artist’s impression of how the shop will look.
Julian Blades, managing director of Jules B, has said its brands “will be perfect for the sophisticated customer demographic in Harrogate and surrounding areas”
The retailer is currently recruiting for full-time and part-time staff for Harrogate, including a store manager and assistant store manager.
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Several national retailers, including Pret A Manger and Hotel Chocolat, have announced they will join Harrogate’s high street recently.
Oliver Bonas is also due to open in September.
Mr Blades and his wife, Rhona, opened their first womenswear store in Jesmond in 1984.
Jaeger to return to Harrogate inside Marks and SpencerWomen’s fashion brand Jaeger is set to return to Harrogate with a section inside Marks & Spencer on Cambridge Street.
Jaeger went into administration last year and was then taken over by M&S in January.
Harrogate’s Jaeger store, which was on Cambridge Crescent by the war memorial, closed shortly after the takeover.
But M&S is set to bring the brand back to 12 of its UK stores, including Harrogate, from October 30.
A total of 300 Jaeger product lines will be available to view in M&S, which can then be ordered and delivered either to the store or the customer’s home.
Two full-time and two part-time jobs will be be created.
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- M&S buyout set to bring closure of Harrogate Jaeger store
- Harrogate’s Jaeger store faces uncertain future
M&S buyout set to bring closure of Harrogate Jaeger store
Marks & Spencer’s buyout of Jaeger is expected to lead to the permanent closure of the fashion brand’s remaining stores, including the one in Harrogate.
M&S workers were seen this afternoon clearing stock from the Jaeger store on Cambridge Crescent and removing objects from the windows.
The future of the Harrogate store has been uncertain since November, when Jaeger and its sister company Peacocks went into administration.
Other brands have been in talks with Jaeger’s administrators for months but no deal had been reached.
The deal with M&S is still being finalised but is expected to include Jaeger’s intellectual property and not its 63 stores, leaving jobs at risk.
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M&S did not confirm, when questioned by the Stray Ferret, whether its deal would save Jaeger’s existing stores.
In a M&S statement, Richard Price, managing director of M&S clothing and home, said:
“We have set out our plans to sell complementary third party brands as part of our Never the Same Again programme to accelerate our transformation and turbocharge online growth.
“In line with this, we have bought the Jaeger brand and are in the final stages of agreeing the purchase of product and supporting marketing assets.
“We expect to fully complete later this month.”