WITH just over six weeks until the grand opening of John Lewis, the Weekly News was given a sneak peek inside the £18m superstore.

Opening on Thursday September 29, the 90,000 sq ft space at the tip of Bond Street will include a beauty treatment room, a foreign exchange bureau, opticians, eateries and even a nursery advice centre.

With its focus largely on fashion and beauty, the three floors complex, manned by more than 300 members of staff, will throw open its doors from 9.30am.

The store manager said: "Fashion and beauty will be John Lewis Chelmsford's forte.

"I am excited to announce the brands that will make the shop a key destination for shoppers in Essex.

"We've carefully curated brands that we know the Chelmsford community will enjoy."

Measuring 7,900 sq ft, it will boast the chain’s largest beauty hall, with 14 beauty counters selling MAC, Charlotte Tilbury and Nars.

In addition to more than 65,000 products, the shop will bring together a new Bar:Café from Benugo, allowing customers to enjoy a glass of Prosecco or cup of coffee while they shop.

As well as offering 90 items of its own luxury womenswear label Modern Rarity. Other brands will include Ralph Lauren, Finery, Mulberry, Michael Kors, Whistles, Trilogy REISS and Diesel.

In line with its other 32 department stores UK wide, the store will select three communities group to help.

The first three charities to receive support include the Lovely Lily-Mae Organisation, Farleigh Hospice and Chelmsford City Mencap Football Club.

A John Lewis spokesperson said the company was confident it would not put nearby independent retailers out of pocket.

She said: “We know that John Lewis will bring foot fall.

“It will bring people into Chelmsford.

“With more customers coming to the city, they will go shopping further afield, so it could help other business.”