INSIGHT - Edition Ten - Winter 2021 online - Flipbook - Page 23
BARKER AND
STONEHOUSE
youngsRPS is delighted to be supporting Barker and Stonehouse on
the delivery of its new store at the Metro Centre Retail Park, having
secured unanimous approval at the Planning and Development
Committee of Gateshead Council.
The approved plans will deliver a new purpose built ‘flagship’ store for
Barker and Stonehouse with an internal floor area of 4,333sqm split
across two levels. The proposals also include a café with access to a
roof terrace. The development will make use of previously developed
land, historically occupied by Harry Ramsden’s fish and chip restaurant,
to create a high quality, landmark building on an important gateway
site at Gibside Way.
Designed by award winning architecture practice, Yeme Architects,
new landscaping is a key design feature of the development, including
new trees, ornamental planting and the creation of a ‘green roof’
to promote biodiversity. A range of sustainable technologies are
incorporated into the development including an array of solar panels
mounted at roof level and low-energy heating and lighting systems to
support Barker and Stonehouse’s commitment to becoming carbon
neutral across all its operations.
Barker and Stonehouse was established in 1946 shortly after the
end of the Second World War. The founders, Charles Barker and Alex
Stonehouse met while working with the region’s top department store,
Binn’s, before opting to set up their own furniture store in Stockton
on Tees. The company has garnered success over the years and is now
the largest independent family run furniture retailer in the UK. The
company employs 420 staff and owns eleven stores across the UK
with showroom space totalling over 35,000sqm.
Environmentally friendly design is at the core of the Barker and
Stonehouse model. The sustainable retailer is classified as a Carbon
Neutral Plus company and provides funding and support towards its
reforestation programme with Trees4Trees - a non-profit, Indonesian
based organisation which advocates for sustainable forestry
management and environmental welfare.
The Planning team at youngsRPS was responsible for the coordination and submission of the planning application to Gateshead
Council, working with a range of specialist consultants on issues such
as drainage and transport, and following submission liaising with the
Local Planning Authority up to the point of the determination of the
application.
If you would like to discuss your development plans with our in-house
planning team, please email planning@youngsrps.com or call 0191
261 0300.
Images: Yeme Architects
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