A home, lifestyle and art interiors shop in Winchcombe is opening
its second store – in Chelsea.
Barnbury, which opened nine years ago, has proved such a success, its owners have invested in a second showroom in London.
Officially opening on
Thursday 9 November 2023, the new store will follow a similar theme to the
Winchcombe base with luxury lifestyle products, home accessories and gifts,
bespoke furniture and art for sale and on display in exhibitions.
Founded by design duo, Jonathan Sellwood and Jonathan Parkin, the pair have found their formula of hand-picking a selection of accessories, gifts, lighting, furniture, jewellery and home fragrance is a winning one for customers.
And their interior design service for clients across the Cotswolds and London has established legions of fans.
They’ve
already taken on two new members of staff in Winchcombe to take care of
customers while the pair head down to London to manage the launch of the new
store until Christmas.
With the reopening of the Winchcombe champagne garden in 2024, they’ll be recruiting extra staff in the new year as well as additional Christmas staff.
A coffee shop will also be opening as part of the new Chelsea store, with the company taking on another two members of staff to run the London base.
Sellwood,
who moved to Winchcombe in 2000, said: ‘We’ve always wanted to have a second
store, and who knows maybe a third, and London felt like the natural place. There's been a vast amount of work and scarily large investment for this expansion but we're hugely excited about the new opening.’
Reflecting on his time in the Cotswolds town, he added: ‘As with anywhere, business is tricky at the moment.
‘The Cotswolds definitely isn’t immune to the same pressures that everyone is feeling.
‘The proliferation of Airbnbs doesn’t help the town. There are so many now that when they are empty it can seriously affect the footfall.
‘Winchcombe
is also without a post office at the moment which also makes a huge
difference.
‘But that aside, Winchcombe has a very active retail and hospitality association and we’re working hard to promote the town.
‘The
upcoming extended Christmas festival on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 December 2023 should
make a difference, as it is usually extremely well supported.’
