HOME and fashion retailer Joe Browns has chosen Bowness for its first Cumbrian store – and it opens this weekend.

Located in a landmark 2,500 square foot building in Queen’s Square, Joe Browns Bowness will showcase what the retailer has to offer across womenswear, menswear and home.

Opening this Saturday at noon, store bosses said the shop features a bright, eclectic and contemporary shop fit designed to showcase the fashionable collections in a standout style, complete with a dazzling centrepiece chandelier.

The opening is the first franchise store for Joe Browns who have partnered with successful retail entrepreneurs Adrian and Julie North.

Peter Alecock, CEO of Joe Browns said: “We are excited to be opening our first new store in four years with an amazing franchise partner. Bowness-on-Windemere is a fantastic location for the store.

“The Lakes are one of the UK’s most remarkable areas, so where better to open one of the UK’s most remarkable stores? It’s a fantastic location to showcase our exciting, colourful and engaging clothing and homewares. Bowness will stock the very best we have to offer and is the first of our franchise partnerships, so we can’t wait to welcome in all our new shoppers.”

Joe Browns recently celebrated its strongest year to date, with sales leaping by almost 21 per cent and profits up by 7.8 per cent.

Adrian North, Joe Browns Bowness franchise owner, called the brand ‘truly adventurous’.

He said: “In a time of homogenous high streets we are delighted to be working with a truly adventurous brand that has the vision and courage to step outside convention.

“Using our 33 years retail experience and working closely with Joe Browns wonderful team we have created our most ambitious store ever, full of colourful surprises in keeping with a brand that brings excitement back into fashion and shopping.”