Beales in talks with top fashion firms about Perth expansion

Retail giant Beales is planning to expand its sales range at its new Perth store after a successful opening weekend.

The old McEwens of Perth building was revived by the Bournemouth-based chain last week.

Scores of shoppers flocked to the St John Street store for the grand opening on Thursday morning, some 18 months’ after McEwens’ shock closure.

Now Beales CEO Tony Brown has revealed plans for a fashion and cosmetics expansion in the new year.

“This is pretty much phase one,” he said. “Phase two will be in March, where we get more beauty houses in.

“We’re talking to Chanel, Mac and Clarins about coming into the store.”

He said: “We’ve got a lot of brands who are desperate to come in here, once they’ve got their stock ready for next spring/summer.”

Beales’ arrival was marked with a civic reception supported by Perth and Kinross Council.

Conservative councillor Colin Stewart, who is convener of environment, enterprise and infrastructure, said: “I’m really pleased to welcome Beales to Perth, and I know there have been a lot of people excited to visit the store in its early days.

“Beales has demonstrated a significant degree of confidence in Perth by choosing to open their first Scottish store here, and now all of us need to reward that confidence, and the efforts of all of our independent traders across Perth and Kinross, by shopping local for Christmas and beyond.”

The loss of McEwens in May last year triggered calls for change among local traders.

The revival of the old department store has brought back around 40 jobs.