Bond Street Chelmsford now open!

If you’re local to Chelmsford or dare I say even the wider Essex area, you can’t have failed to notice that Bond Street Chelmsford, home of the new John Lewis store, is now open.

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I missed the opening day as I was on holiday in Amandola, but every day since the whole area has been packed, and there’s no doubt that it has brought extra shoppers into Chelmsford.

It only feels like a couple of weeks ago that I was watching the John Lewis Topping Out ceremony to mark the final brick being put in place, and here we are, 8 months later.

Disappointingly, there are still a few stores that are not yet up and running, and even a few stores that still remain empty.

Map of Bond Street Chelmsford

A quick glance shows that more than a dozen shops remain empty at the newly-opened development. (Map taken from BondStreetChelmsford.co.uk)

Half Moon Square

I can’t be the only person in the city to think that Half Moon Square looks grubby, despite being less than a month old. It certainly doesn’t seem to fit with the intentions of the original Chelmsford City Council plans which can be seen here.

The view across the refurbished Half Moon Square showing the new Bond Street entrance next to Superdrug.

The entrances to the site both look neat and tidy, with what was Gap now being taken over by Schuh, with the shop wall being moved in to make a wider entranceway.

But you can see how busy it gets:

Foyles, Cath Kidston and Hotel Chocolat open in Chelmsford

As you make your way through from the High Street, you meet a myriad of shops, starting with Hotel Chocolat:

Oasis are in Chelmsford for the first time since headlining V Festival… (get it?!)

Accessorize and Fat Face move locations in Chelmsford

Fat Face has moved lock, stock and barrel from their location at the Meadows, whilst Accessorize has their first store which isn’t shared with Monsoon.

At the other end, Ask Italian is the first restaurant visible as you drive towards the car park.

Bond St Chelmsford restaurants

John Lewis, Chelmsford

Lastly, the anchor tenants, John Lewis, who dominate the middle of the retail area, spanning three floors and overlooking most of the complex.

There’s still more to come.  Everyman cinema, various restaurants and a handful of stores are yet to open their doors, and if the centre continues the initial popularity it has experienced, it won’t be long before we get some more big names opening up in the city.

by DannyUK

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