THE new branch of John Lewis, one of the anchor stores of the £1bn Liverpool One development, has unlocked its doors ahead of its May opening.

Yesterday was the day contractors Wates handed the building over to its new occupiers.

It will open on May 29. It is 40% larger than the former George Henry Lee site in the city centre, and will be one of John Lewis’s largest branches outside London.

An espresso bar seating more than 100 people, and a restaurant with 300 covers, will give shoppers a chance to relax and take in the views across the Mersey as Liverpool One takes shape.

Implementation manager Gavin Smith said: “It is our responsibility to deliver a branch absolutely ready to trade one day before opening. It will be very hectic but we have the best people from around the business involved.”

For now, head of branch Margaret Jacques will continue with the running of the trading store.

She said: “It’s absolutely our intention to keep our existing customers as well as attracting new ones. We are very aware how style- conscious our Liverpudlian customers are, and all the different services we are offering, plus with the Clarins beauty studio and the espresso bar and Place to Eat, it will all look stunning.

“There is a huge volume of work to be done in the next 15 weeks, but that just motivates you to keep on going.”

The Basnett Street John Lewis will close for good at the end of Bank Holiday Monday, May 26.

Then, more than £1m of stock will have to be immediately transferred to the new store ahead of its opening three days later.

Grosvenor has said that the entire 42 acres of shopping and leisure will be opened by September 30.

The current John Lewis site will be temporarily taken over by Marks & Spencer while it refurbishes its own Church Street store, before Rapid moves in permanently.

vickyanderson