John Lewis partners' weight puts escalators to test!

11 Apr '08

2 min read

80 John Lewis partners put their weight firmly behind the new Liverpool shop's success – when they 'stress tested' the eight escalators which link the four floors of the 240,000 square foot department store.

The partners all work at the Basnett Street shop and were visiting their new home for the first time – just eight weeks before the much-anticipated opening on May 29.

The escalators were each lifted into place in one piece and have already been running smoothly for a couple of weeks – but the development team wanted to give them an extra challenge.

“We've been putting the escalators through their paces since they were installed”, said Brian Arscott, John Lewis Development Construction Manager for the new Liverpool shop.

“Getting the partners to give them the ultimate test was over and above the industry standard, but we wanted to make absolutely sure they could cope with anything.

We're expecting a lot of interest in the new shop, so the escalators will have their work cut out!”

Margaret Jacques, Managing Director of John Lewis Liverpool said the partners had been really impressed with the new building.

“All of us have a lot of affection for the current shop, but we really can't wait to move now. The new shop is just fantastic and will really help us to make the experience of shopping at John Lewis Liverpool second to none.

We've got 40% more space, a superb retail environment, and a whole lot of new and exciting brands coming in – and we're confident the people of Liverpool and further afield will be impressed too!”.

John Lewis

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