Multiple watch retailer Chisholm Hunter is set to open its second store in the south of England after taking over the former EW Payne store in Bromley, Kent.
EW Payne announced that it would close down in June, after 103 years trading in Bromley. The owners cited a downturn in local trading caused by nearby shopping centre Bluewater.
The Chisholm Hunter store taking over the site of the former EW Payne shop is due to open in March. The retailer said that three-level watch and jewellery showroom will include a section of the store dedicated to luxury Swiss timepieces.
Chisholm Hunter director Tracey Brown said: “A jeweller has been located in this building since 1910 and we are delighted to be able to carry on this tradition. Our design team are working to create a welcoming store which will appeal to today’s shoppers.
“It will be a real fairytale store when it is complete and we hope local people will love the new design as much as we do."
Brown described the store as "an exciting venture", with the shop set to become one of Chisholm Hunter’s largest premises.
At present the company is recruiting for 10 members of staff for the Bromley shop, covering management and sales.
Chisholm Hunter said it is planning further new store openings in 2014 but did not give any specific locations. In the past 18 months it has opened stores in Silverburn, the Argyll Arcade in Glasgow, Bluewater in Kent and Glasgow For, as well as refurbishing and expanding its Falkirk store.
