A new homeware heaven

Shoppers are to be invited into a merchandising mecca when the Westfield London shopping centre in Shepherd’s Bush opens its doors on 30 October.

The site, with a floor area four times the size of Wembley Stadium, will have 265 shops to choose from, above a car park with 4,500 spaces.

Homeware shops have their own dedicated area down one side of the main atrium and many have relocated their flagship stores from other parts of London.

The biggest is Debenhams, with 110,000sq ft of selling space. Its home department has been designed into room sets to sell “lifestyle shopping” to customers wanting inspiration and the complete look.

This department store has a higher than average range of well-known names designing bed linen and other accessories for the store, including John Rocha, Jasper Conran, Julien Macdonald, Betty Jackson and Orla Kiely. The store will be launching a dedicated customer service area for all home-related queries and questions.

'This department store has a higher than average range of well-known names designing bed linen and other accessories for the store'

Other big names include House of Fraser, with a home area of 6,582sq ft. This will sell its popular Linea range, an in-house and affordable collection of homeware, plus bed linen, accessories and kitchenware by other designers such as Clarissa Hulse, Ghost, Missoni, Jamie Oliver and Cath Kidston.

The two other “anchor” stores are Marks & Spencer and Waitrose. M&S will have a home section selling a well-chosen selection of technology and electricals, home accessories, kitchenware, bed linen, bathroom accessories, soft furnishings, luggage and stationery. There will also be a small range of furniture, which the company hopes to increase in size next spring.

Spanish Zara Home hopes to realise its full potential with the arrival of its shop, and Next moves in with its very affordable and creative Next Home, which will occupy a floor of 10,000sq ft.

Dwell will come in with its first proper boutique of own-brand designer-style furniture, lighting and accessories, at a fraction of the usual price. This will be Dwell’s 12th UK outlet.

The White Company will open a 1,800sq ft store dedicated to home and fashion. Its latest collections include classic Thirties Art Deco-inspired bed linen and home accessories in rich velvet, silk and cashmere, plus a range of sumptuous modern lighting and a new Winter fragrance range.

Habitat is relocating from Kensington, while Laura Ashley is moving its flagship store from Regent Street to the centre, with 6,774sq ft of homeware and fashion, and will also offer an interior-design service, starting at £150 a room.

The look of the store is inspired by its newest collection for autumn called Metropolitan, which includes a range of sophisticated fabrics, statement wallpapers and furniture, in varying shades of grey.

Among the smaller retailers are Oliver Bonas, Paperchase, L’Occitane, Crabtree & Evelyn, Soap & Co, Jo Malone, Neal’s Yard and Lush. For fans of home electricals, there is a Sony store, while Bose is opening its first stand-alone store.

The designer label names at the top end of luxury will be Versace, De Beers, Calvin Klein, Swarovski, Tiffany, Mulberry, Tag Heuer, Mont Blanc, Joseph and Dior.

The Westfield London concierge team will organise “hands-free” shopping, meaning you can collect everything from one location, or have items delivered direct to your car or home for a minimum charge of £10.

Reader offer: 10 per cent off at selected shops at Westfield London

This exclusive Homes & Property offer is valid between 30 October and 12 November, and is available for purchases from the following retailers:
* Dwell: 0845 675 9090; www.dwell.co.uk
* Laura Ashley: 0871 983 5999; www.lauraashley.com
* House of Fraser: 020 7003 4000; www.houseoffraser.co.uk
* The White Company: (offer excludes furniture) 0845 678 8150; www.thewhitecompany.com
To claim, print this page and take it with you by 12 November 2008.