Independent menswear and womenswear brand Pockets is opening a flagship store in Bath on 10 September, marking two firsts for the Midlands-based operator. The new boutique will be its first foray into the South of England, and it also becomes the first to include a womenswear collection from day one.
Pockets Townhouse Bath: Photographer Jen Allan
Pockets Townhouse will open on Brock Street in a Grade I listed Georgian building, nestled between two of the city’s most famous landmarks: the Circus and the Royal Crescent.
Spanning three floors, the boutique will stock a handpicked selection of luxe brands including Moncler, Ralph Lauren, Dries Van Noten, Stone Island, and Max Mara, “many of which are not widely available elsewhere in the city”, it notes.
The Bath store will mark the brand’s fifth in its store portfolio and “represents a significant milestone as [we] approach 30 years in business”, it added.
And with the city having suffered the closure of heritage department store Jolly’s, the arrival of Pockets Townhouse also “marks a strong case for the resurging value of bricks-and-mortar”.
The store’s USP is “expert tailored styling from a knowledgeable team, with an emphasis on fabric, fit and feel”.
As for the design, the building’s original Georgian architecture and interiors have been maintained and a key feature is a selection of original abstract artworks by artist Roy Osborne.
The Bath opening follows on the recent expansion of Pockets’ flagship store in Shrewsbury, which launched a dedicated womenswear offer in July – a first for the business “and the success of which cemented the added offering for Bath”.
Founder Paul Platt said: “Bath has the kind of character and independent spirit that we really value. Pockets will fit right in. Our approach has always been simple: sell exceptional products with exceptional service in an exceptional space which people want to come back to. I feel grateful that we’re still here after almost 30 years, and I feel very sad a lot of our peers have gone.”
He added: “There’s still something to be said about the power of physical space. Creating an environment where people can feel the fabrics, speak to experts, and experience truly great service. When done right, physical retail still offers something the internet can’t, and I want to inspire a new generation of people to see that.”
