Furniture store replacing Argos in Solihull
The former Argos store in the centre of Solihull is to be given a new lease of life.
It is set to become a furniture store selling everything from sofas and armchairs to beds, mattresses, furniture, lighting, curtains, blinds and accessories.
Retailer Loaf is taking on the former Argos and is currently expected to open around Thursday 26th July.
Loaf’s website says: “Just a hop, skip and a jump from Birmingham, this 5,500 square foot Shack will show you how to slow down and loaf your life.
“Our ‘shacks’ are slowrooms, not showrooms’.”
The Mill Lane site is on the edge of the borough’s retail heart at the opposite side of town to Touchwood Shopping Centre where clothes shops, cafes and tech shops including Apple are concentrated.
The Argos store used to form a close knit triangle with an M&S food and clothing store and House of Fraser – a department store which escaped a closure notice last week when the group announced it was closing 31 stores, including Birmingham.
But after Argos pulled out first, Loaf is advertising itself on the outside of the vacant unit with work beginning to transform the interior.
Founded by Charlie Marshall, Loaf began life as a London-based company called The Sleep Room in 2008 and has since had extra investment from Peter Simon, the founder of Monsoon and Accessorize.
The company has a ‘relaxed and easygoing’ ethos and has ‘shacks’ in Wilmslow near Manchester and Battersea (which both include an ice-cream parlour), Guildford, Spitalfields and Notting Hill.
Evidence of its sense of humour comes with the introduction to its terms and conditions: “It’s time for us to put on our best serious voice and take off our slippers as we get down to the legal nitty-gritty (you’re welcome to keep your slippers on).”
The “loaf logo” is a trade mark of Really Comfy Beds Limited which is based at Evesham Street, London W11 4AJ.
Current ranges include a Flapper, Groover and Orinoco furniture ranges, burbler chairs and love seats.
Designers of its cloths include Romo, Designers Guild and Ian Mankin.
As well as requesting free swatches, you can also order a free brochure by signing up online, too.
Loaf also encourages trade buyers – but they are not allowed to sell products on and must also take responsibility for knowing that whatever they buy will be strong enough for commercial use.
Loaf’s address will be 59-65 Mill Lane, Mell Square Shopping Centre, Solihull, B91 3AT. Tel 020 3141 8300.
For further details, visit the Loaf website: https://loaf.com
Read more: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/whats-replacing-argos-solihull-14769408