Caulder Moore psyched by venture

Caulder Moore is stepping out with north east-based retail entrepreneur Steve Cochrane on the design of a 3252m2 ‘über-boutique’ opening in Middlesborough at the end of March. The project is believed to be worth a six-figure sum in fees to the group.

Final concepts have been approved this week for the £2.5m, designer-clothing-to-lifestyle store and restaurant called Psyche (pictured). Located in an Art Deco building in the town’s Linthorpe Road shopping district, the venture is intended to give style-conscious consumers an ‘on their doorstep’ alternative to shopping trips to Leeds or Newcastle.

‘It’s a huge boutique with the feel of an independent, but on the scale of a department store,’ says Cochrane. ‘The days of department stores are over. In the main, you don’t associate them with fashion-forward goods.’

The interior design eschews ‘white box theory’ in favour of a more ‘theatrical’ experience, adds Cochrane, who describes the concept as ‘Urban Outfitters on an upmarket scale.’

The first phase of the project covers the ground floor menswear and first floor womenswear departments. A second phase, due to start shortly and expected to be completed by July, includes a home and lifestyle offering and the ‘roof area’ restaurant.

On the ground floor the design scheme features ‘warm chocolate tones’ and black polished limestone, contrasted with sand-blasted stainless steel, Perspex and glass. The colour palette for the womenswear floor includes aubergine, gold and bronze, combined with blonde wood veneers and sheer fabric drapes.

Caulder Moore was appointed last October without a formal pitch.