James the Second, various locations

Date      Commencing 1997

Arrol & Snell’s first of eight projects for the James the Second retail chain was based in Shrewsbury. Extensive timber-frame repairs were carried out here, while the shop continued to operate, that reinstated the building’s original double-bay frontage. This double-bay design was used to the shop’s advantage to create attractive display windows whilst maintaining the medieval character of the building. Originally, only the ground-floor space was fit for purpose, but the practice’s renovations more than doubled the usable space to include further shop-floor space on the first floor, offices on the second and stock storage space in the cellar.

The practice continued to install a further seven James the Second shops in various locations – both those with high-street locations as in Shrewsbury, and also new-build units within shopping centres such as the Merryhill Centre and even a unit in Manchester Airport. The extensive work for the national chain enabled a continuity of brand throughout its stores that was sensitive to the brand’s ethos and approach. The detailing reflected this in all aspects, from large-scale renovations and construction, to the detailed design of internal fit outs and lighting.