A growing fashion retailer is opening its newest UK store in one of the country’s largest shopping centres. Whole stores like River Island and New Look shut a slew of stores due to financial hardships and changing customer habits, while others are expanding and opening new sites across Britain. One of those stores is Stradivarius, which is gearing up to open its first store in Kent. The womenswear brand is known for selling clothes, shoes and accessories, and already has 10 stores in the UK.

It is part of Inditex, the owner of fashion retailers Zara, Pull & Bear, and Bershka. Launched in Spain in 1999, it has become popular across Europe and now has stores in a number of countries. Stradivarius will open at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent on February 26. The new store will fill an 8,488 sq ft unit on the Lower Thames Walk, adjacent to Marks and Spencer. It adds to the 280 stores and food and drink operators already present in the massive shopping centre, which is the fifth-largest in the country. 

James Waugh, centre director at Bluewater, said: “Stradivarius has been our most requested brand for some time now, and our original announcement sharing that they’d be joining our retail line-up was met with huge excitement.

“We’re delighted to be able to give fans of the brand a concrete opening date, so that they can start planning their shopping trips.

“This marks the first time our guests will be able to shop their collections in the region, and we can’t wait to welcome them through the doors when the store opens next week.”

The shops will join a generous selection of fashion retailers in the shopping centre, including Bershka, AllSaints, Diesel, Calvin Klein, Hollister, H&M, New Look, Mango and Levi’s, among others. 

In total, Stradivarius has more than 900 stores in over 60 countries. It was originally a family business that started in Barcelona in 1994. It was eventually purchased by Intidex and began rapid expansion worldwide. 

Stradivarius currently has four stores in London, as well as sites in Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

It isn’t the only retailer set to open at Bluewater Shopping Centre for the first time. Premium British lifestyle brand Crew Clothing is also opening on February 26 in the Kent shopping centre. The first 50 customers who spend £50 or more will receive a free Crew Clothing tote bag with an exclusive gift on the opening day.

The British company has seen sustained growth over the last few years and has stores in locations like London, Luton, Chelmsford and Berkhamsted. 

A well-known UK fashion business has fallen into administration. Customers have been warned they will not be given any refunds they are owed. SilkFred, which is the home of more than 500 independent brands, has stopped accepting orders and won’t be able to handle any returns. Shoppers have been told not to send any items back.

Andrew Watling and Duncan Beat were named joint administrators. They said: “As a result of the administration, it is not possible to make any further refunds. Anybody owed money by SilkFred is now called a ‘creditor’, and you will rank as an ‘unsecured creditor’ in the administration.

“Creditor claims will be dealt with as set out in a legal order of priority, but unfortunately, based on current information, there will not be sufficient funds to make any payments to unsecured creditors.”

The announcement of the administration came through Instagram. It said: “We’re heartbroken to share that SilkFred has entered administration.

“In recent years, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis has placed immense pressure on consumers, while rising costs and increasing competition from overseas fast fashion have made it increasingly difficult for independent brands to survive.

“We remain incredibly proud of what SilkFred achieved – helping women discover outfits that made them feel amazing, while supporting hundreds of independent designers to grow their businesses.

“We’re deeply grateful to everyone who’s been part of our journey – our customers, our brands, and our team. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of our journey. You made SilkFred what it was.”

For shoppers who paid for items on SilkFred by credit card and spent more than £100, you may be eligible to claim a repayment from your card provider.

Other affected customers will need to request a refund under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.