Nespresso is the latest name to join the line-up of lifestyle brands opening at Tunsgate Quarter, the new retail and restaurant development in the heart of Guildford town centre, in spring this year. The pioneer and leading quality coffee brand will be opening a Boutique concept store, providing coffee-lovers with an opportunity to sample a selection of its high-quality blends from around the world.
The new Nespresso Boutique will showcase the brand’s dedication to innovation and sustainability, alongside its diverse range of coffees, Nespresso machines and accessories. The Boutique will provide an interactive experience for shoppers, with a number of Coffee Specialists on-hand to share their expertise, inviting customers to sample different blends, to find their perfect coffee and intensity levels. Coffee masterclasses will also be hosted in boutique for those wishing to enhance their coffee knowledge.
The Nespresso Boutique will incorporate lush greenery and coffee trees in its design and will feature other sustainably-designed materials, including table tops made of used coffee grounds from the Nespresso factory in Switzerland, wood sourced from Nespresso reforestation programmes on coffee farms and technological solutions to reduce energy use. The Boutique will offer a recycling service for used aluminium capsules and the spotlight artwork has been created from this recycled material.
Managing Director Francisco Nogueira, from Nespresso UK and ROI, said “As a business, Nespresso is focussed is on creating a memorable, unique customer experience. In our boutiques, we offer a personalised, immersive service that surpasses that of the traditional retail store, from the expertise of our staff to expertiential coffee tastings. Our boutiques are geared towards the modern coffee drinker, with tasting bars, Coffee Specialists and the latest in retail technology. Customers can enjoy the full Nespresso coffee range, learn more about each blend, and discover their preferred aromatic profiles. We now have over 40 boutiques in the UK and Ireland and are delighted to be opening in Guildford.”
At Tunsgate Quarter, Nespresso will join the recently announced lululemon, the women’s and men’s technical athletic apparel company, and other brands including Loaf, OKA, Bobbi Brown, Cath Kidston and The White Company. The Ivy Collection is also opening a restaurant at Tunsgate Quarter with an al-fresco dining terrace and spectacular views over Guildford Castle and the Surrey Hills.
Chris Daly, Senior Leasing Manager at Queensberry, said: “We’re delighted that Nespresso will be a part of the new vision for Tunsgate Quarter. The brand is in-line with our leasing strategy and further reflects the brands we have signed up to the centre. The remodelled Tunsgate Quarter features a completely redesigned layout with a focus on design and interaction with the surrounding streets of Tunsgate and Castle Street, to provide a really special shopping experience and brand offering.”
Developed by Queensberry, Tunsgate Quarter is an expanded leisure and shopping hub for premium lifestyle brands. The boutique shopping destination has been designed to complement the independent retailers adjacent to the scheme, as well as the High Street offer, and provide spectacular views across Guildford Castle and its gardens.
Historically the Tunsgate Quarter site has a significant legacy within Guildford, providing key connectivity routes between the High Street, Tunsgate and Castle Street. The design of the new Tunsgate Quarter will reflect these routes and create a thoroughfare, linking the High Street entrance with Tunsgate and Castle Street. The architectural remodelling of the development will significantly enhance the journey experience between these areas and will provide a new retail and leisure offer for Guildford, comprised of three floors around a striking atrium space.
The architectural concept merges contemporary design with several heritage aspects of the site. Inspiration has been taken from the art-deco styled cinema, which once occupied the site, the town’s connections to the arts and crafts textile designer, William Morris, and to the locally grown Woad flower, used traditionally in dye colouring.
Lyons + Sleeman + Hoare is the architects for Tunsgate Quarter, and the agents are Bruce Gillingham Pollard and Cushman & Wakefield. ISG PLC is the contractor for the scheme.
