Officine Générale to debut in UK with Soho store

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Aug 30, 2017

Brexit may be looming and UK retail may facing challenging times but with the pound at a historic low, tourists flooding in to take advantage of exchange rates and plenty of retail developments underway, Britain’s capital remains a magnet for international brands. And that’s especially true for those planning their first steps in the UK.

The latest news is that Officine Générale, the Paris-based menswear label, will open in London’s Soho in a Grade II listed building at 79 Beak Street. Retail real estate advisory firm Thor Retail Advisors said it secured a new retail lease for the brand with a long-term deal for what will be its first UK retail store.

The new store will be helped by a strong line-up of neighbouring stores. 79 Beak Street is situated opposite the new London flagship of Rag & Bone, adjacent to Aesop and Le Labo, and close to Paul Smith, APC, and a soon-to-open Byredo store.

The space into which Officine Générale will move was occupied by John Wilkes Gun Makers from 1925 until 2003, at which time it became contemporary art gallery Riflemaker.

“We were pleased to be able to secure the ideal location for Officine Générale on Beak Street, due to its high foot traffic and proximity to a number of compatible retailers,” said Tom McHugh, Director, Thor Retail Advisors.

Soho has been transformed in recent years and has largely left behind its former sleazy image. It’s now a hub for shopping as well as dining and has strong visitor traffic both during the day and after hours. The nearby development linked to Crossrail and the new Elizabeth Line tube extension is also expected to drive overall footfall higher.