In The News: Jack Wills and Timberland to open stores in Cambridge city centre,

Two major empty shops in central Cambridge are being filled at last.

Footwear specialist Timberland is moving into the former Disney store in Petty Cury, while the former Blacks outdoor shop in Sidney Street is being taken over by clothing chain Jack Wills.

The current Jack Wills store in Rose Crescent will be taken over by the company’s sister brand, Aubin & Wills, which is aimed at customers aged 25 and over.

Both units had been empty for some time – the Disney store closed in January – so the deals were welcomed by Barry Robinson, who is vice-chairman of the Cambridge Retail and Commercial Association and managing director of Millers Music Centre in Sussex Street.

He said: “It’s good for the city to be filled up. A city that’s got a lot of empty shops is bad news because it gives a bad atmosphere to the whole town.”

Both of the new shops will be open in time for Christmas – Jack Wills hopes to open its larger store in mid-November, while Timberland aims to launch on October 6.

The Timberland store will be operated by a company called Seventy Three Retail and Luke Underhill, one of the directors, said the strong trading environment around Petty Cury, plus the large student and tourist presence, were major attractions.

The firm already operates franchises in Bath, Tunbridge Wells and Windsor.
Mr Underhill said: “We’re planning on it being our flagship store. We’ve got pretty high hopes for it.
“Looking at what’s available within the town and who else is doing footwear, there’s a little bit of competition, but compared to some of the places where we are operating there didn’t seem to be so much, so I think it will do well there.”

New shops should be on their way to Lion Yard, off Petty Cury, when a refit of the central square is completed.

chris.havergal@cambridge-news.co.uk