Leeds and Bristol to lose Harvey Nichols stores, say reports

Former staff, shoppers and experts have spoken of their sadness at the prospect of luxury department store brand Harvey Nichols leaving the Leeds retail scene.

The shop, which sits on Briggate in the heart of the city's buying and browsing area, appears set to be converted to a Flannels store, according to comments made by the chief executive of the brand's parent company.

Opened in 1996, it was the first branch outside of the capital and led to Leeds being dubbed the "Knightsbridge of the North".

"I'm very sad about it because I think it's been a real gem in the retail centre of Leeds," said retail analyst Catherine Shuttleworth.

She was joined in her disappointment by former staff member David Rowley, who described the chain as a "bastion of fashion".

Michael Murray, the boss of Frasers Group, was reported by Vogue Business as saying the stores in West Yorkshire and Bristol would change brands.

This decision was part of the company's "broader luxury strategy, allowing us to retain a presence in these locations while aligning them with the Flannels proposition", he is reported to have said.

The BBC has contacted the company for comment.

Rowley, who worked in the Leeds store between 1998 and 2016, said the reports had left him "incredibly sad".

"It changed the face of the landscape of retail," he explained.

Rowley, who now works in art dealership management, said the store brought a touch of glamour, including customers such as Adele, Hollywood actress Liv Tyler and even homegrown Spice Girls star Mel B - who gave him tickets to the group's concert.

Shuttleworth, who is the chief executive of Savvy Marketing, said "I think there's a lot of thriving retail here in Leeds and retail in Leeds isn't just about the people who live in Yorkshire.

"It's a real tourist magnet. People come to Leeds for the weekend, to go shopping, we've got the Victoria Centre and Trinity Centre."

She also questioned whether the firm's decision to retain Harvey Nichols stories in Manchester, Edinburgh and London, could mean people looking for a shopping weekend might swerve Leeds in future.

"Will more people go elsewhere, to Manchester?

"That's the worry isn't it - that those high-end luxury shoppers will go elsewhere and Leeds has got to fight hard for that retail pound.

"People stay in hotels, drink in our bars, we want them here. It's important for the city, so I think it's a really sad day."

In August, Frasers bought Harvey Nichols out of administration as part of a £43m deal, acquiring its six UK stores, online business and international franchise agreements.

According to Frasers Group's acquisition announcement at the time, the brand had faced "sustained trading and operational challenges" and required significant restructuring.

It is not yet clear what the plans mean for the existing Flannels flagship store in Leeds, which is inside the former Debenhams building on Briggate - just yards from the Harvey Nichols site.

The site in Cabot Circus shopping centre in Bristol opened in 1998.

The BBC understands staff members were informed of the proposals on Monday.

Shoppers who the BBC spoke to on Briggate earlier all expressed a sense of sadness at the change.

One man described the site as a "flagship store" while another described it as a "status symbol for Leeds".

Earlier this week, Frasers Group, revealed a new £1bn luxury division.

It said Frasers Group Luxury would bring together brands Flannels and Harvey Nichols, alongside The Webster in the United States.

As well as Sports Direct, Frasers has bought up a huge number of retailers and their brands over the years. These include Savile Row tailor Gieves & Hawkes and luxury lingerie firm Agent Provocateur.

It also owns Jack Wills and House of Fraser.

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