Tees designer’sCo-op contract

Jan 22 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

A TEESSIDE shop designer has won a prestigious contract to redevelop the head office and flagship store of a major high street retailer.

Stockton-based shop equipment design and consultancy, Plan~net Uro, have been chosen to contribute to the multi-million pound redevelopment of the Co-op Society’s regional office in Penrith, as well as the supermarket and department store chain’s main store in Burrowgate.

Plan~net Uro, which has worked with the society for 15 years, will produce design merchandise layouts for the departments, source equipment and conduct the project-management for the redevelopment.

Dennis Bailey, managing director of Plan~net Uro, first suggested the idea for the redevelopment with Penrith Co-op in 2004, to help it compete with current and future rivals in the town.

Mr Bailey said: “This project is important to me after my initial conception of its need and because of my long-term close relationship with the client.”

Apart from the store design, planning and sourcing of shop fittings, Mr Bailey has also re-branded the first floor departments in line with main store’s address at 19 Burrowgate.

The result is a fashion department, STYLE @ 19, a cook and gift shop called HOME @ 19 and a cafe branded RELAX @ 19.

Mr Bailey set up Plan~net Uro in 1997 with the aim to work with independent northern retailers after 20 years supplying shop equipment to larger chains.

This year, he is also expected to begin work on another independent Co-operative’s food hall re-fit and three or four charity shop developments.

John Mills, chief executive officer of retail operations at the Co-op, said: “Plan~net Uro once again are able to offer a service to us, not only designing the aesthetics of the redevelopment, but also providing us with a practical merchandised layout.

“Most importantly, they are helping purchase high quality fixtures and fittings.

“Until this work began, the store had only been revamped in small ways over the last 10 years,” he said.

The complete re-development includes major building and architectural improvements, updated services and new shopfittings and display items.