Bench fashion store heads trio of new shops opening in Gloucester

Fashion, calendars and fancy dress are on the way to Gloucester in the shape of the city's newest shops.

Two pop-ups have opened to cash in on seasonal trends - the Ultimate Party Shop in King's Walk in time for Halloween and the Calendar Club at Gloucester Quays, stocking city popstar Nathan Sykes' 2016 offering among others.

But it's the imminent arrival of fashion brand Bench at the Quays that is likely to get the most interest after it was confirmed the company will be taking up a long-term unit at the outlet shopping centre.

The brand is known for its urban and casual wear and follows hot on the heels of the announcement that FatFace is also on its way to the centre.

Rhodri Morgan, head of operations at Bench, said: "Gloucester Quays has always been part of Bench's expansion plans and having seen the improvements in the centre and in the new retailers joining the scheme over the past six months, we now think the time is right for Bench to enter the Gloucester market.

"We can see the potential in Gloucester for a Bench store, and we are looking forward to the potential of a really strong following."

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Singer Jess Glynne is Bench's brand ambassador and the face of the retailer's Autumn/Winter 2015 campaign.

Gloucester Quays centre manager Richard Rawlings said: "Bench is a leading fashion brand and I am delighted to welcome them to Gloucester Quays.

"They will reinforce still further our growing fashion offering including The North Face, White Stuff, Crew and Quba & Co. With Christmas on the horizon we have even more major brands hoping to open outlets at Gloucester Quays."

The Ultimate Party Shop has taken over the former Marie Curie unit in King's Walk on a short-term lease for Halloween.

Shoppers can expect Star Wars, Breaking Bad and Walking Dead zombie costumes along with old classics such as Pennywise the Clown from Stephen King's 'It' and Beetlejuice.

Company director Sue Clingen runs the business, which has permanent stores in Worcester and Cheltenham, with her two sisters Caroline and Jenny.

She said: "We are bringing the Halloween shop back in all its glory this year and are excited to be kitting out the city.

"I envisage that the zombie costumes will be a massive hit as people came to get their outfits for the Gloucester Zombie Walk, but we also have Saw, Scream and Halloween masks from the films."

Back in the Quays, Calendar Club has returned in the run-up to Christmas offering everything from Cliff Richard to pug puppies via the Welsh Rugby team and Gloucester's own Nathan Sykes.

Nathan found success with popular boyband The Wanted before embarking on his solo career and 12 images of the singer can be found alongside a date grid to keep track of all your appointments in his own calendar.

Mr Rawlings said: "Year after year Calendar Club has proved successful at Gloucester Quays and with many people choosing to start their Christmas shopping early I am sure this year will be no different."

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