See inside Primark’s ‘bigger and better’ Metrocentre store

Shoppers can have their first glimpse inside the reopened Primark store at the Metrocentre this week as the results of its revamp are unveiled.

The fashion chain has extended its branch in the Gateshead shopping centre and says customers can enjoy an improved shopping experience with a ‘bigger and better’ store, which is part of a £100m investment earmarked across its UK sites this year as it celebrates 50 years on the high street. And to follow up there will be a new Primark store opening in Teesside Park next week.

The company sees the North East as an important area and says the investment at its branch in the Metrocentre – where it first opened in 2006 before relocating to its current site in 2011 – helps reaffirm the brand’s commitment to the region. Shoppers at the two-floor store, which reopened this Wednesday morning, will find it is significantly bigger on the ground floor which now incorporates what was the shop space next door and makes this the 13th biggest Primark in the UK.

There is also a different layout and fresh design, with rearranged departments giving more space to browse. Women’s wear is entirely focused on the ground floor, alongside homewares, with the men’s and children’s departments remaining upstairs.

And there are now self-checkout tills, in addition to the manned tills to promote choice and speed. Conor Walsh, Primark’s regional director of sales, said: “The North East is an important region for Primark as we continue to invest in our UK store estate.

“The extension to the Metrocentre store precedes the new store opening in Teesside Park next week and forms part of our overall £100m investment this year.” He added: “We’re so excited to open our doors as a bigger and better Primark Gateshead Metrocentre store.”

Ben Cox, director of Metrocentre owner Sovereign Centros, said Primark is an established favourite with shoppers and has had enduring success at the centre. He said: “This year alone several of our international powerhouse brands have up-sized here, a sign of the shared confidence we have with our tenants that they can grow and evolve with us and ultimately perform.”