The Sussex Newspaper - Great news for a great county!

Claire Dunkason has been announced as the branch manager of the new John Lewis at home shop in Chichester, due to open in spring 2012 on the Chichester Retail Park, located just off the A27.

In her role as branch manager of John Lewis at home Chichester, Claire will be accountable for the overall success of the shop. In addition she will have responsibility for the 140 Partners (staff) employed at the shop, including sales assistants, specialist advisers and catering professionals.

Born and bred 20 miles from Chichester, Claire’s roots are well and truly on the south coast, with most of her family based in and around the Chichester area. Claire first fell in love with the city during her teenage years while working with her mother during the summer holidays.

Claire, 35 has been part of the John Lewis Partnership for the last 17 years. She started as a trainee in Waitrose, the supermarket arm of the Partnership and then moved to the department store division in 1997.

Starting out at John Lewis Southampton, Claire worked her way up from the shop floor as a section manager to personnel manager, a post she held for eight years. After two years as the general manager at John Lewis Kingston, she took up the role of branch manager at John Lewis Poole and is now thrilled to be taking on a new challenge in Chichester.

Commenting on her new role, Claire said: "I'm absolutely delighted to be taking on this new role at John Lewis at home Chichester. I love the atmosphere and ambiance of the city and look forward to bringing John Lewis alive for our new and existing customers.

“I’m really looking forward to opening our doors in the spring and I know that our customers will be delighted with the wide range of home and electronic products that we offer and our great customer service.

“I believe I can use the skills and insight I have developed within the various roles I have held in the John Lewis Partnership to help create a new and innovative retail experience for the residents of Chichester. I look forward to meeting people from the local area in the coming weeks and months.”

Tim Harrison, head of format development, John Lewis, said: “Claire brings a wealth of knowledge to this role. Her many years experience within management make her well placed to contribute to the ambitious plans we have for developing John Lewis in the future and delivering our differentiated service, inspiring products and great value to more customers across the UK.”

John Lewis at home Chichester will focus on furniture, furnishing accessories, homeware, home and electrical technology and will introduce a small assortment of travel goods and nursery. Computer terminals in the branch will allow shoppers to browse a wider John Lewis assortment including fashion, beauty, carpets and order for home delivery or next day collection at the shop. The shop will also feature a café.