Manchester-based WDC Spaces has completed the design development and delivery of Berghaus’ first flagship store at Manchester Arndale, marking a major milestone for the outdoor brand and its physical retail presence.
The new store opened on Wednesday 26 August, giving Berghaus a permanent flagship destination in the heart of Manchester and a physical expression of the brand that brings together retail, specialist advice, community events and Repairhaus, its free repair service.
More than simply a new store opening, the Manchester Arndale flagship represents an important moment for Berghaus as it brings the brand to life in its own dedicated environment at one of the UK’s leading city-centre retail destinations.
WDC Spaces, the branded environment specialist which is part of WDC Creative, was appointed to take an early-stage creative concept through detailed design development and into a high-quality finished retail experience.
From the outset, the WDC Spaces team worked closely with Berghaus and a network of specialist suppliers to work up the scheme in detail, including the development of new fixtures. Materials, finishes and technical requirements were considered and confirmed, ands prototypes ahead of the build to assess and resolve key details before manufacture and installation.
WDC Spaces also sourced the rock features used within the store, helping to translate the outdoor character of the brand into the physical environment, while working with specialist partners to develop the lighting scheme around the products, fixtures and wider customer experience.
The team remained involved throughout the development and delivery process, resolving practical and technical challenges of the site while maintaining a consistent focus on the quality of the finished experience. The result is the Berghaus brand brought to life in a distinctive physical space, showcasing the products, services and sense of community.
Jason West, Managing Director at WDC Creative, said: “Berghaus’ first flagship is a significant project, and there was a real sense across the whole team of what this opening represented for the brand. We worked closely with Berghaus and some brilliant specialist suppliers to take the initial thinking and develop it right through the fixtures, prototypes, lighting and technical detail. It was a fast-paced programme, with everyone focused on making sure each element was properly resolved and delivered to the right standard.”
The store was officially opened by Berghaus co-founder Peter Lockey and British mountaineer and longstanding brand ambassador Sir Chris Bonington. Bringing together two figures closely connected to the brand’s heritage to celebrate the start of its next chapter in retail.
This store opening strengthens Berghaus’ connection to the North, with the Manchester flagship envisaged as a destination that extends beyond traditional retail, with events and opportunities for the outdoor community to connect with the brand.
Bob Neville, Global Head of Retail, Pentland Brands Ltd, commented: “this brand store is a major moment for Berghaus and the result of a huge collaborative effort. Teams and partners from across the globe have come together to create a retail experience rooted in our heritage and DNA, and in our belief that ‘the outdoors belongs to everyone’. It gives people a more complete view of the Berghaus brand and creates an exciting platform for where we take the experience next.”
For WDC Spaces, the project builds on its work designing and delivering physical experiences for retail and leisure brands, supporting clients to translate early creative thinking into fully realised customer experiences.
