New store heads for urban village

A NEW furniture store is to open this autumn as part of a burgeoning shopping village in the heart of Birmingham.

Neptune has confirmed it is launching its first West Midlands store this year in Harborne Road, which forms part of the Calthorpe Estate’s ‘Edgbaston Village’.

The shop will be in a newly refurbished property next to Oka, the high-end furniture brand co-founded by David Cameron’s mother-in-law which opened earlier this year.

Neptune has grown rapidly since it was established in a Wiltshire farm workshop in 1996. Edgbaston will be its 20th store.

Head of property at the group Tim Buxton said: “Over the years, Neptune has become well known for occupying distinctive properties that create a home from home experience for customers.

“Calthorpe Estates’ sympathetic refurbishment of the Edwardian period building we have selected makes the property the perfect addition to our current portfolio.”

The store will cover three floors, with a studio at the rear showcasing kitchen collections.

Land owner Calthorpe Estates is carrying out a long-running regeneration project of the area called ‘The Village’ in a bid to attract top class stores, bars and restaurants.

Director of development, Ralph Minott, said: “Neptune is an important addition and reflects our vision for Edgbaston Village which we launched in 2011. It complements the exciting mix of restaurants and bars created over the past two years alongside our high-end retail and services offer that continues to grow.

“By continuing to work closely with Birmingham City Council, we are able to review the mix of outlets, scale and overall balance of Edgbaston Village while making further advancements to the surrounding infrastructure.”

Other venues in the area include restaurant chain Boston Tea Party, due to open this summer, The Physician pub which launched last year, The High Field gastro pub and Michelin-starred Simpsons.