Travelbag Chester

The brief

The client was very clear in its desire to create a High Street experience where images would form a strong backdrop – giving Travel Bag the chance to display exotic locations and also creating advertising opportunities it could offer suppliers. MPL's experienced shop fitters were also challenged with creating a light, bright environment, despite the unit’s below-street level position, and a set of new communal facilities

Our approach

A site visit was our first port of call, especially since the retail quarter of Chester is set in a conservation area, which would affect the exterior treatment of the premises. The unit’s previous incarnation as a ladies’ clothes shop influenced our layout design, while Travel Bag’s newness on the High Street prompted our retail interior designers. to make Chester a ‘concept store’, with the ensuing blueprint ready to roll out across the country

A first fix full of surprises

As our remit included a complete refurbishment of the space - encompassing new electrics, lighting, air conditioning, and power/data supply - it was necessary to strip back much of the interior. It was during this process that we discovered beautiful timber support and an exposed brick wall. Not wanting to cover up such historical details, we chose to showcase these aspects of Chester’s heritage by incorporating them into the design.

Instagram-friendly wall art

With holidays sometimes sold off the back a resort photo alone, it was only natural to pepper the interior with oversized images. These take two forms: giant lightboxes and Foamex boards with backlighting. Both can be changed with ease and MPL created the latter to a standardised design, so they can be interchanged between stores.

Send me a postcard

One of the store’s most relevant aesthetic features is a cut-out vinyl world map wall decal, which is also magnetic so postcards can be displayed to make a unique piece of wall art. The map is further complemented by four clocks displaying four different time zones.

Additional aspects

MPL Interiors supplied and installed a new ramp entrance, brochure racks, a drinks station with integrated water supply, wiring for a ‘people counter’ to track store traffic, new office furniture, and chairs, two network-linked public-facing media screens in the window, wiring for an integrated sound system and added acoustic soundproofing. We also installed new exterior signage and a projecting sign in line with the local council’s guidance and covenants for a historic setting and created a set of communal facilities, including a meeting room crafted from the old changing rooms, a new cloakroom, and staff break out/kitchen area.

Client feedback

“Today we have opened the new Chester Travel Bag shop and when the staff arrived this morning, they were incredibly happy and overwhelmed. I want to say a big thank you from me for your hard work, assistance and, without a doubt, patience!” Jamie Greystock - Senior Project Manager, D’Nata

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