Harvey Nichols has some good stores, both in the UK and overseas, but its flagship in Knightsbridge, was underwhelming.

However, work is now underway to rectify this and the first evidence of real change became apparent last week when the department store group unveiled a makeover of the two menswear floors, both of them in the basement.

An extra 4,000 sq ft has been added, bringing the total for the department to 28,000 sq ft. The new interior, designed by Carlos Virgile of consultancy Imagination, has higher ceilings, better lines of sight and feels much more open.

Other highlights include a heavy use of copper finishes and multiple textures around the walls, following a pattern first set at the refurbished Birmingham branch, which reopened last year.

This is the first stage of a project that will encompass all the store’s floors and which should set it well on the road to being once more a must-visit destination among London’s fashion glitterati.