Leeds and Bristol to lose Harvey Nichols stores, say reports
Frasers Group, the owners of the brands, has been contacted by the BBC for comment on the reports.
Leeds and Bristol are set to lose their Harvey Nichols stores, according to reports.
Harvey Nichols opened its Leeds branch in 1996, becoming the first one outside London. Former employees, shoppers and experts have expressed sadness at the prospect of the luxury department store brand disappearing from Leeds’ retail scene.
The store, located on Briggate in the centre of the city’s shopping area, appears likely to be turned into a Flannels branch, based on comments from the chief executive of the brands’ parent company.
Opened in 2016, it was the first branch outside the capital and helped Leeds earn the nickname the "Knightsbridge of the North".
"I'm very sad about it because I think it's been a real gem in the retail centre of Leeds," said retail analyst Catherine Shuttleworth.
Former employee David Rowley also said he was disappointed, describing the chain as a "bastion of fashion".
Michael Murray, the head of Frasers Group, was reported by Vogue Business as saying the stores in West Yorkshire and Bristol would be rebranded.
He is reported to have said the move was part of the company’s "broader luxury strategy, allowing us to retain a presence in these locations while aligning them with the Flannels proposition".
Rowley, who worked at the Leeds store from 1998 to 2016, said the reports had left him "incredibly sad".
"It changed the face of the landscape of retail," he explained.
Now working in art dealership management, Rowley said the store added glamour and attracted customers including Adele, Hollywood actress Liv Tyler and even Spice Girls star Mel B, who gave him tickets to the group’s concert.
Shuttleworth, chief executive of Savvy Marketing, said: "I think there's a lot of thriving retail here in Leeds and retail in Leeds isn't just about the people who live in Yorkshire.
"It's a real tourist magnet people come to Leeds for the weekend, to go shopping, we've got the Victoria Centre and Trinity Centre."
She also questioned whether the company’s decision to keep Harvey Nichols stores in Manchester, Edinburgh and London could push shoppers away from Leeds.
"Will more people go elsewhere, to Manchester?
"That's the worry isn't it - that those high-end luxury shoppers will go elsewhere and Leeds has got to fight hard for that retail pound.
"People stay in hotels, drink in our bars, we want them here. It's important for the city so I think it's a really sad day."
In August, Frasers bought Harvey Nichols out of administration in a £43m deal, taking over its six UK stores, online business and international franchise agreements.
At the time of the acquisition, Frasers Group said the brand had faced "sustained trading and operational challenges" and needed major restructuring.
It is still unclear what the plans mean for the existing Flannels flagship store in Leeds, which is in the former Debenhams building on Briggate, just yards from the Harvey Nichols site.
The Bristol store at Cabot Circus shopping centre opened in 1998.
The BBC understands staff were told about the proposals on Monday.
Shoppers speaking to the BBC on Briggate earlier also said they were sad about the change.
One man called the site a "flagship store", while another described it as a "status symbol for Leeds".
Earlier this week, Frasers Group unveiled a new £1bn luxury division.
It said Frasers Group Luxury would combine Flannels and Harvey Nichols, along with The Webster in the United States.
Alongside Sports Direct, Frasers has acquired many retailers and brands over the years, including Savile Row tailor Gieves & Hawkes and luxury lingerie company Agent Provocateur.
It also owns Jack Wills and House of Fraser.