John Lewis in Birmingham no threat to Solihull store – Andy Street

ANDY Street, the UK managing director of John Lewis, has told a Solihull business audience that the arrival of a new flagship shop next year in central Birmingham  is no threat to the firm’s Solihull store.

Street – who is chairman of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership – said he hoped that by the end of 2013 there would be news of a “multi-million pound investment” in the Solihull store.

He described it as “phenomenally successful” and said it is one of John Lewis’ top performing stores.

Speaking at a Solihull Business Improvement District business breakfast event, Street stressed John Lewis’ commitment to the Solihull store which he said is central to the local and regional community, with the new store at New Street focusing far more on visitors coming from farther afield.

Street also praised the Solihull business community for helping to put the town in the top three places in the UK to run a business.

Shirley Sturzaker, Solihull BID director, said: “It is important for Solihull businesses to hear, first-hand, how important the town is to the region’s economy – and also the long-term commitment of John Lewis to Solihull.

“From the nature of discussions after the event the businesses were energised by Andy’s positivity and vision.”