A look back at John Lewis’ opening in November 2015

The brand's Home store at Basing View will not reopen after lockdown lifts. The Waitrose supermarket, housed in the same building, has not been affected. 

John Lewis has been a popular destination for customers since opening its doors in November 2015. 

Here, we take a look back at the lead up to its grand opening and how residents reacted at the time. 

Work first began to create the gigantic 73sq ft development back in July 2014. 

An artist's impression of how the store would look

The next 16 months saw contractors - Bowmer and Kirkland - who were appointed by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and their Basing View development partner, Muse Developments – get to work in creating the building.

Just before the opening in November 2015, there were 120 people helping to set up the shop, taking delivery of £3.4 million worth of stock which arrived in 25 multi-deck vehicles.

In the meantime, the store’ 369 staff ran a rehearsal opening day, taking turns to act as customers.

They were earlier trained in other stores, before coming together as a team in the new store in Basingstoke.

A total of 1,200 people applied for jobs at the combined store, and around 80 per cent of the jobs were given to local people.

The partnership worked with Basingstoke College of Technology, the Shaw Trust and the Job Centre to try and recruit people from the area.

Before the inauguration, the Gazette's reporter Emily Roberts was given a tour of the building.

The store was thoughtfully decorated, with pendant lights hanging down to light up display cabinets, transparent bubbles hanging in the laundry section and dominoes in the games area.

Trevor Doidge, who was the implementation project manager, had said that the décor was designed to “make it more inspirational than just products on shelves”.

The first floor was where you could find the cafe, which catered for 170 covers. Diners could see through to the kitchen from an open hatch, and watch chefs as they prepared the food.

Upstairs there was also a casual seating area where people could meet friends. Jamie Rogers, branch manager of Waitrose, had said: “It’s like a civic building for Basingstoke.”

Mr Rogers, who had been with the partnership for 20 years then, was proud of the juice bar, which was part of the ‘theatre’ experience offered to customers who visited the store.

Located downstairs in Waitrose, customers could watch their juice drink being made for them and enjoy it at ‘grazing’ tables or take it around with them whilst shopping.

In Waitrose there was also a wine bar and eat-in bakery.

Ali Gilbert, the then branch manager of John Lewis, said ahead of the opening: “We can’t wait.

“It feels like we have had weeks of preparation.”

There was feverish “excitement” as the ribbon was cut allowing scores of eager people, queuing up ahead of its opening, in to browse the merchandise.

Teenager Olivia Jermy was joined by mum-of-two Gina Benson to open the store. They were picked because they were the first “partners” hired there.

Mark Jones (Ark), Peter Robson (Neighbour Care), Olivia Jermy (John Lewis), Gina Benson (Waitrose), Gaenor Miles (Spotlight)

Olivia, 16 then, from the Winchester Road area was working in stock management for John Lewis at home.

She said: “It’s been amazing. I have been so excited.

“When they asked me to open it I thought they were joking but it’s been amazing. I have been telling everyone about this.”

Gina, 44, who used to work in the Bake House in Old Basing, said she was “nervous but honoured” to open the store.

She added: “It just seemed such a good company to work for. I like the fact that we all have a stake in the company, we’re all treated equally.”

Immediately after the opening, shoppers flocked into the building in droves to have their first look at the new major department store.

Helen Ricketts from Rooksdown was the first customer to arrive in the Waitrose store.

The 51-year-old oil and gas engineer said: “I’ve been excited about the new store. I have been here for 14 years and to go to a good supermarket means a lot.”

Anthony Godinho, was with his daughter Krystal and was the first customer in John Lewis.

A retired pharmacist from Hatch Warren, said: “It feels brilliant to be here. We couldn’t wait for it.”

Friends Pamela Chadwick and Rob Gray were enjoying a coffee in the store café. Pamela said: “I live in Hook and it’s a long way to go to get to Reading for a John Lewis. When you want to get something special and off-the-wall, Waitrose is the place to go. This is central to Basingstoke.”

Tracy Jupp and Linzi Ruddick were looking at curtains and blinds. Tracy said: “This is the biggest thing to happen to Basingstoke for years.”