Harvey Norman chooses Birmingham for UK HQ, store
Harvey Norman is continuing a United Kingdom expansion via Birmingham.
The ASX listed retailer this week announced the Gracechurch Shopping Centre at Sutton Coldfield, will become its local headquarters (artist’s impression, top).
It will also open an outlet at the facility, 12 kilometres north east of town, taking over a tenancy last occupied by Debenhams.
Harvey Norman opened its first Birmingham store in October at the Merry Hill shopping centre at Brierley Hill, 21 kms west of the town’s GPO.
A spokesperson said that outlet has welcomed a significant number of shoppers.
They added the company is in advanced negotiation for “a number” more West Midlands spaces.
Established in 1982, now with over 300 stores, Harvey Norman also operates – outside of Australia – in eight countries including Croatia, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore and Slovenia.
Gracechurch has been owned by London-based developer SAV Group and BPG since late 2023.
Move hoped to revitalise area
Birmingham is the UK’s third largest city with a greater population of c1.16m – about 15 per cent less than Adelaide.
The West Midlands population is about 3m – a little more than Greater Brisbane (story continues below).
The Gracechurch store will take over the majority of the ex-Debenhams tenancy.
Between it and the office, for which it has signed a 20 year commitment, the spaces are expected to accommodate about 100 jobs including for online, finance, operations, administration, management and marketing departments.
“The West Midlands Combined Authority is backing plans to breathe new life into the [23,200 square metre] Gracechurch shopping centre through a multi-million pound investment, including new homes, leisure, retail, commercial and other uses,” West Midlands mayor, Richard Parker, said.
“Harvey Norman’s investment is a big win for Sutton Coldfield…proof that our high streets can thrive again, creating jobs and giving people more reasons to visit, shop and socialise,” he added.
“With new jobs and homes on the way, we’re delivering the real opportunities and marketing this town as a great place to live and work,” according to the politician.
“The investments follow the implementation of the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement in May, 2023, removing unnecessary barriers to the UK market for Australian businesses and strengthening trade ties between the two countries”.
Harvey Norman chief executive officer, Katie Page, said the Graceland space is high grade, providing “an excellent hub for our growing UK team”.
Stephen Smith, High Commissioner of Australia to the UK, added “the United Kingdom is Australia’s second largest investment destination, as well as our second largest source of investment…this major investment…into the West Midlands is a great example of how investment is mutually beneficial and supports economic growth and jobs in both Australia and the UK”.
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