John Lewis is poised to unveil its new Leicester store when the city’s Highcross Quarter scheme opens on Thursday.

The retailer, which will anchor the Hammerson and Hermes’£350 million development, will be joined by others including Topshop, River Island, New Look, Zara and Reiss.

The façade of the John Lewis building, inspired by Leicester’s textile heritage, features a design similar to a print in John Lewis’ textiles archives in Carlisle. At night, the building is illuminated from within.

Separately, John Lewis Partnership chairman Charlie Mayfield has said he will not make job cuts over the coming year despite having to cut costs as a result of the credit crunch.

- See Retail Week next week for more on the Leicester Highcross Quarter opening.