Flemingate welcomes new national retailer as Shoezone strides into Beverley

Beverley’s Flemingate centre has attracted another major retailer with footwear chain Shoezone arriving in the thriving market town.

The footwear group has taken a long-term lease at Flemingate, joining other major national retailers including Dunelm, H&M, Sports Direct, The Entertainer and Wilko.

The big national brands complement popular independents such as Guitar Galleries, Baytree Interiors and Art and Soul in the Flemingate retail mix.

Flemingate is owned and operated by Hull-based property development and management business Wykeland Group, which has secured Shoezone to occupy a 4,500 sq ft unit next to H&M in the heart of the centre.

Wykeland Property Director David Donkin said: “We’re delighted that another national retailer has chosen Flemingate for its latest opening.

“The arrival of Shoezone is another major vote of confidence in Flemingate and reflects the popularity of the centre among both local customers and visitors to the town.

“We now have one of Britain’s favourite footwear stores in our line-up, which complements the great mix of fashion, food, films, fun and so much more that Flemingate has to offer”.

The Shoezone story dates back to 1980, when brothers Michael and Christopher Smith bought controlling shares in footwear company Bensonshoe, founded by their grandfather.

By 2000 the company had more than 180 stores and a year later the business re-branded to become Shoezone. Today, Shoezone has around 330 stores across the UK and employs more than 2,500 people.

The business sells more than 14 million pairs of shoes every year, including from leading brands such as Kickers, Skechers, Hush Puppies, Regatta and Crocs.

The Flemingate branch is one of Shoezone’s new concept stores, featuring the chain’s complete core range of shoes, as well as a variety of additional brands, including Lotus, Heavenly Feet and Lunar.

Anthony Smith, Shoezone Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted to be opening this new Shoezone store in Beverley.

“We’ll be selling our most popular core range of own-brand everyday footwear, alongside well-known branded shoes, making our entire retail collection more easily accessible.”

Shoezone is open at Flemingate from 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am-4.30pm on Sunday.

The arrival of Shoezone underlines Flemingate’s status as a leading retail and leisure destination in East Yorkshire and is the latest addition to the centre, following the recent opening of Beverley Hills Diner & Bar.

·      For more information on Flemingate, including its Summer Fun programme of events and activities for families, visit www.flemingate.co.uk

Pictures: Karl Andre Photography.