River Island is set to open an expanded new store in Newcastle's Eldon Square. 

The popular fashion chain will be relocating and upsizing to the shopping centre's former Topshop, which closed after its owner Arcadia tumbled into administration in late 2020. 

Coming in at an impressive 20,000sqft plus, the new store, located on St Andrews Way, will span two floors and provide an "enhanced shopping experience". 

This includes exclusive product edits, specialist sections, and a brand-new look. 

One of the digital-first store's big features will be the digital dressing rooms, where products will be identified on entry for ease of purchase.

Eldon Square in NewcastleEldon Square in Newcastle (Image: Contributor)

There, shoppers will be able to use a touchscreen to ask for more sizes, choose other styles, or get help from experts in-store, akin to the fitting rooms at the Teesside Park branch. 

Customers will also be able to order items in-store or for home delivery, with more styles on offer across its collection in a bid to "reinvigorate the high street". 

This will mark yet another exciting development coming to the centre after £65 million plans were approved last year to transform the disused former Eldon Leisure Centre and the top floor of the vacant Debenhams store. 

The redevelopment will see Next move from its existing spot into two floors of the former Debenhams - with beauty brand Sephora also set to arrive in the city.

It comes after the owner of Eldon Square, Intu Debenture PLC, announced its rebrand to XPE Group PLC earlier this month. 

Under its new identity, XPE Group PLC will implement strategies aimed at future-proofing its three schemes – including investing in key brands such as River Island.

'Significant milestone'

Gemma Scarfe, Digital & Marketing Director at River Island said, “We're thrilled to announce our new relocated store in the Eldon Square development.

"Newcastle has been a beacon of cultural dynamism in the last decade, drawing in investment and shaping itself as a premier destination, and we are excited to be part of that story.

"Our new store promises to redefine the shopping experience for our customers, enriching their journey through our brand amidst the vibrancy of this thriving city.”

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Pete Cooper at XPE Group PLC says: “The expansion of River Island's concept store represents a significant milestone in Newcastle's retail landscape, marking the first retail announcement since Intu Debenture PLC rebranded to XPE Group PLC.

"The new store supports our strategy of elevating Eldon Square, providing unparalleled opportunities for engaging customer experiences.

"As Eldon Square continues to evolve with strategic developments like Next and Sephora, we're excited to contribute to the region's thriving retail ecosystem. We look forward to fostering meaningful partnerships that will take Newcastle’s retail offering to the next level.”