Interview with John Lewis Cheltenham
Can you introduce yourself and tell me a little bit about your background?
Of course – My name’s Henry and I’m the Branch Manager of John Lewis Cheltenham. I’ve been a John Lewis Partner for 16 years. What stood out to me about John Lewis wasn’t just the job, but the values, the way people were led and how they were genuinely looked after within the organisation.
Over the last 16 years, the decision to be a Partner has taken me all over the country. During my time with the business, I’ve worked in the Head Office and managed multiple Waitrose branches. Across the 12 or 13 shops I’ve worked in, you really get to know the town or area you’re a part of. Over time, you stop feeling like you just work there and start feeling like you’re a part of something bigger. That’s why this interview feels particularly special. The BID does a great job championing the local community, and it’s nice to be able to connect with that and be a part of those conversations.
How did the business John Lewis start and what inspired it?
The John Lewis Partnership was founded by John Spedan Lewis, who had a vision for doing business differently.
The organisation originally began with two separate brands. The first was Waitrose, the grocery side of the business that most people are familiar with today. The second was John Lewis, which started as a department store in Sloane Square, London. These two brands later came together to form what we now know as the John Lewis Partnership.
At the heart of the Partnership is an employee‑ownership model. Unlike most organisations, which operate for the benefit of shareholders, John Lewis is owned by its employees known as Partners. The founding idea was to bring people together with a shared purpose: to build a commercially successful retailer and, through that success, reward the people who contribute to it. There’s a strong sense of responsibility within the organisation the idea that you give to the business in the same way that you take from it. That balance between contribution and reward is a key part of the culture.
Are there any new products or services planned for John Lewis this year?
Yes, absolutely!
In Cheltenham our ‘best kept secret’ is our services. We’re fortunate to offer some really unique high‑street services, particularly our Personal Styling and Home Design services. These allow customers to spend one‑to‑one time with specialist Partners who can help with outfit inspiration or interior design ideas that can be tailored to their home.
On the fashion front, we’re working closely with our commercial teams to introduce new and exciting brands. Following the recent launch of Topshop, we’ve also launched a collaboration with Amanda Wakeley and introduced new brands such as Never Fully Dressed, and premium denim labels like Good American, Paige and FRAME. For the Home department, our 2026 furniture and outdoor living ranges have just landed. We’ve actually done a full refresh of the shop floor with new room sets to give people that immediate ‘wow’ factor and inspiration for their own spaces.
Looking ahead, we have strong ambitions to continue building our fashion and home ranges, ensuring we offer our customers an even wider and more compelling selection.
What three words would you use to sum up the brand of John Lewis?
I’d go with: Relevant, Exciting, and Aspirational
What would you say are the biggest challenges facing businesses like John Lewis in Cheltenham right now?
I think one of the most obvious challenges for Cheltenham at the moment is driving the local economy through increased footfall. I’m genuinely concerned by recent data showing that, on average, fewer people are visiting the town. It certainly aligns with what we’re seeing in our own data as well.
I also see an opportunity to look closer at when people visit Cheltenham, ensuring we maximise our appeal throughout the entire week and at different times of the day to attract visitors.
Alongside that, factors such as the appearance of the town, the presence of antisocial behaviour, issues around theft and crime can further impact confidence and, ultimately, footfall. If those challenges aren’t addressed, they risk compounding the downturn we’re already seeing.
For me, what’s really important going forward is a collective approach. Those of us who trade in the town have a responsibility for supporting it, we need to work together to find ways to invite more people into Cheltenham.
How many people work in this John Lewis, do you know?
Currently, we have around 203 Partners that work in the shop, but it changes often depending on seasonal demand!
John Lewis & Partners is a leading UK department store chain offering fashion, homeware, beauty, technology, and more. It operates under the John Lewis Partnership, a unique employee-owned business model where all staff, known as Partners, share in ownership, profits, and decision-making.
Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday: 9 am to 6pm
Sunday: 10:30am to 4:30pm