Uniqlo has opened a new 8,611 sq ft store across three floors at Coal Drops Yard in London’s King’s Cross, in what used to be home to the 2,500 capacity Bagleys night club – once a big part of London’s rave scene.
Housed in an iconic location with a rich cultural heritage, the building was originally a Victorian coal drops shed built in 1851, and now some of its old brickwork is juxtaposed with Uniqlo’s modern store design with the retailer’s distinctive red and white logo.
The new store carries the brand’s LifeWear collections for men and women, as well as housing a RE.Uniqlo Studio on the second floor where customers can recycle, repair or remake their favourite items from the retailer so they can “keep wearing and loving them for longer”.
Uniqlo has also announced it will be reopening its store at Westfield White City on 10 October, following its renovation.
Alessandro Dudech, Chief Operating Officer at Uniqlo UK, said: “We are thrilled to be continuing our UK expansion with these two new store openings.
“We are excited to be able to offer LifeWear to the local communities of people who live and work in the buzzing Coal Drops Yard and King’s Cross area, and look forward to welcoming back customers to the renovated White City store in October.”
Collaborating with Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London for the second time, Uniqlo has tasked two BA Fashion graduates with designing an Eki Stamp, inspired by Coal Drops Yard. An Eki stamp is found at many train stations in Japan.
Their designs typically feature imagery emblematic of the station’s associated city or surrounding landmarks. Taking inspiration from this, Uniqlo is bringing the concept to its new London store. Customers can add the winning Eki Stamp design to their Uniqlo items for a limited time only, in what is an exclusive to the Coal Drops Yard RE.Uniqlo counter.
Partnering with London Mural Festival 2024, Uniqlo has also collaborated with Pref, a British artist who took inspiration from the brand’s Made For All philosophy to create an artwork in his classic typography style.
It is being displayed on a mural in-store, as well as on the specially made ping pong tables located on the second floor terrace, where there is also seating. Uniqlo customers – and the local community – can play a game or sit and chill out – all while enjoying the unique Coal Drops Yard architecture.
Keeping it quirky, Uniqlo is also working with East Japan Railway Company (JR-East), which offers a variety of products through its state-of-the-art vending machines in Japan. Vending machines have become an integral part of Japanese culture. Incorporated into the Coal Drops Yard store customers will be able to shop selected items of Uniqlo kidswear from the vending machine located on the second floor.
Uniqlo will also be partnering with Shō tengai Market, a Japanese style market, held in Coal Drops Yard estate every month, to showcase pan-Asian businesses.
Specifically for the store opening, and to celebrate and share Uniqlo’s Japanese heritage with the community, the retailer is collaborating with vendors Kichiya, selling Japanese inspired baked goods, and Onigiriheads, offering Onigiri and other Japanese snacks. Those market stalls will also be located on the second floor terrace and are open from 19-22 September and 26-29 September.
Customers who make a purchase at the Uniqlo Coal Drops Yard store can present their receipt to Kichiya and Onigiriheads and receive a discount off their purchases.
Additionally, Uniqlo will partner with local charity New Horizon Youth Centre which provides young Londoners experiencing homelessness personalised support. As part of this partnership, Uniqlo staff will be volunteering at the New Horizon Youth Centre and have provided clothing donations. They will continue to work closely with them after the store opens.
The first 100 customers through the door on Saturday 21 September will receive a goody bag. Uniqlo app customers shopping over opening weekend will also be in with the chance of winning a trip to Tokyo. All they need to do is scan the app with any purchase to be entered into the draw.
Following the opening of the Princes Street store in Edinburgh and One Oxford Street in London early this year, and now with Coal Drops Yard, Uniqlo now has a total of 20 stores in the UK.
