Online homeware retailer Rowen Homes opens doors to its very first bricks and mortar store in the Metrocentre

Popular online homeware and interior retailer Rowen Homes has opened the doors to its first ever store in Metrocentre Gateshead on 28th April after the phenomenal growth of its online homeware business. Rowen curates and sells next-level, Instagram-worthy collections, and have amassed a substantial social media community of over 1.5 million in just two years.

The new store opened to a crowd of people on Friday 28th April 2023, moving into the former Laura Ashley unit located in the Upper Platinum Mall. The store showcases the brand’s iconic luxury furniture and homeware, including their recently launched collection with much-loved TV star Rylan, letting customers test out their favourite furniture in person for the first time. Customers are greeted by a friendly, approachable team of design consultants, ready to help them find the perfect pieces to bring Rowen magic to their home.

Rowen has big plans for their new store, including ticketed masterclasses, available from June, which will be hosted by local businesses and industry pros. From learning how to make a beautiful floral arrangement for your home, to how to elevate your business social media game, or even getting a masterclass in Interior Design by the incredibly talented team of designers at Rowen, customers will be encouraged to try something new in their gorgeous store setting. Other in store experiences include personal shopping appointments, available from June, with their talented design consultants, a chill out cinema room and plenty of insta-worthy room sets to snap a selfie in.

Up until now, Rowen has traded purely through e-commerce, offering the interior-designed look for less. The successful North-East business sees expanding into bricks and mortar as the next step in growth for the brand, to support the region’s retail offering and to meet the huge demand from Rowen’s loyal customers. Co-founded in August 2020 by Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, Alice Hall and her husband Andrew, Rowen Homes has taken the homeware market by storm, driven by their unique approach to homeware and the team’s passion for all things interiors.

Alice Hall, Creative Director and Co-founder, said: “We are so excited to be opening our first Rowen retail store, which has been highly requested by our amazingly loyal customers ever since Rowen was founded in 2020. Having a physical retail location is a huge game-changer for us as a brand, allowing us to bring the magic of Rowen to our customers in person for the very first time. Having our first ever store be in Metrocentre is a total ‘pinch me’ moment and really close to my heart, as some of my first jobs were at retail stores in the Metrocentre. It was also important to us that this huge milestone for the brand happened in our home of the North East, as the region has been so supportive and welcoming to us. Our store will support in driving additional retail footfall to the Metrocentre and the region, which we feel very strongly about.

More than just a shopping destination, we are excited to host masterclasses in store, where customers can learn new skills in interior design and other fun classes, and offer a unique room moodboarding service where our dedicated team are ready to help customers find their ‘dream scheme’.

We can’t wait to welcome people from far and wide into our amazing new location, and offer exceptional and friendly service. We want every single person who walks through our doors to feel welcome and at home, as they’re the reason we’re able to bring this dream to life.”