Come and shop in my townhouse

Two years ago, we were in Lisbon and, whilst involved in some retail therapy, were interested to see how Spanish clothing retailer Massimo Dutti had decided to house their Portuguese flagship store in one of the company’s most beautiful locations.

It was a restored 19th-century neoclassically ornate corner property – a masterpiece of late romantic architecture with just a whiff of the Beaux-Arts.

It offered a unique shopping experience as the interior restoration team had paid great attention to the building’s original character, making minimal changes to the interior layout. It was like wandering through the living rooms of a private home with luxurious furnishings and lighting. Setting off the shelves and rails of clothing products. Like the contents of someone’s wardrobe.

My husband once worked in retail and has often said that in these challenging economic times, businesses on the High Street have to make shopping in their store a real experience to attract customers.

Setting themselves apart from the huge department stores and retail names you will see in every city’s shopping centre. Massimo Dutti had certainly done that, and l have to say that experience came to mind when l received a press release about a clothing company that is setting out to do something very similar here in Bath.

Pocket’s the independent menswear and womenswear boutique known for its curated edit of international designer brands, is opening a new flagship store in the midst of our Georgian heritage on September 10th.

They are not a huge international brand like Massimo Dutti, but keen to take on a similar, if less grand, version of this more unique way of presenting retail clothing.

This marks the Midlands brand’s first foray into the south, and its only boutique to launch a womenswear collection from day one.

Pockets Townhouse will open on Brock Street in a Grade I listed Georgian terraced townhouse, nestled between two of the city’s most iconic landmarks: the Circus and the Royal Crescent. 

I was lucky enough to find the front door open today when l passed and was invited in to take a look. Still eight days to go in terms of getting everything ready for the launch.

Spanning three floors, the Bath boutique will stock a handpicked selection of luxury brands (including Moncler, Ralph Lauren, Dries Van Noten, Barena, Stone Island, and Max Mara), many of which are not widely available elsewhere in the city. 

Founded by Paul Platt in 1996, Pockets has built a loyal following of style-conscious men and women seeking standout service and high-quality garments. Pockets currently occupies over 10,200 sq ft of retail space and employs a team of 30.

The Bath store will mark the fifth in the portfolio and represents a significant milestone as the retailer approaches 30 years in business. 

The expansion comes at a time when independent retail is facing one of the toughest climates yet, with the Centre for Retail Research reporting over 13,500 UK shops closing in 2024 alone, and an estimated 14,660 independent stores predicted to shut in 2025. Closures are up 28% from 2023,

The arrival of Pockets Townhouse marks a strong case for the resurging value of bricks-and-mortar.  

Locals and visitors alike can expect expert, tailored styling from a knowledgeable team, with an emphasis on fabric, fit and feel. The building’s original Georgian architecture and interiors have been maintained, offering an immersive shopping experience just a stone’s throw from the high street. The boutique also features a variety of original abstract and illusionist artwork by Roy Osborne. That too is for sale.

The opening follows the recent expansion of Pockets’ flagship store in Shrewsbury, which launched a dedicated womenswear offering in July – a first for the business and the success of which cemented the added offering for Bath.  

Paul Platt, Founder, comments: “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 that a lot of our peers have gone.” 

He adds: “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.” 

I wish them luck with their take on a new shopping experience for our city.