H&M expands into former BHS store in The Grafton, Cambridge

H&M is to expand its store at The Grafton in Cambridge into part of a unit formerly occupied by BHS.

The Swedish giant will upsize its existing store by 60% to 28,570 sq ft by expanding into the ground floor of the unit and will be introducing its Home concept to Cambridgeshire for the first time.

Fit-out of the extended H&M store will take place in two phases with menswear, womenswear and kidswear moving first into the former BHS unit and the Home concept opening after the refurbishment of the existing unit.

PureGym will take over the second floor of the unit, while a new food and beverage area on the first floor, called Food Social, will be situated on the first floor.

The announcement comes shortly after LGIM Real Assets (Legal & General), owner of The Grafton, revealed investment at the centre had been increased by £10m, taking the total outlay to £28m.

"It is vital to be a proactive owner and we strive to take a hands-on approach in the management of The Grafton and its ongoing refurbishment programme. We recognise the importance of investing into improving the centre and the need to respond to the ever-changing retail environment," said senior asset manager Tom Williams.

The £28m refurbishment, which is being managed by Wrenbridge, includes major improvements to the shopping environment throughout, such as upgrading entrances, flooring and roofs along with the reconfiguration of retail space and creation of new units and anchor opportunities.

The Grafton comprises 500,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space, currently totalling 84 units and an 8-screen Vue Cinema. Anchored by Debenhams, one of only two department stores in Cambridge, the centre is also home to Next, New Look, Boots, Primark, Decathlon and Mothercare, among others.