New luxury men’s and womenswear destination ‘Pockets Townhouse’ to open in Bath this September 

Independent retailer bucks national trend with expansion to flagship boutique in Grade I listed Georgian building

Pockets, the independent menswear and womenswear boutique known for its curated edit of international designer brands, is opening a new flagship store in Bath on September 10 2025. This marks the Midlands brand’s first foray into the south, and its only boutique to launch a womenswear collection from day one. Pockets Townhouse will open on Brock Street in a Grade I listed Georgian building, nestled between two of the city’s most iconic landmarks: the Circus and the Royal Crescent. 

Spanning three floors, the Bath boutique will stock a handpicked selection of luxury brands (including Moncler, Ralph Lauren, Dries Van Noten, Barena, Stone Island, and Max Mara) many of which are not widely available elsewhere in the city. 

Founded by Paul Platt in 1996, Pockets has built a loyal following of style-conscious men and women seeking standout service and high-quality garments. Pockets currently occupies over 10,200 sq ft of retail space and employs a team of 30. The Bath store will mark the fifth in the portfolio and represents a significant milestone as the retailer approaches 30 years in business. 

The expansion comes at a time when independent retail is facing one of the toughest climates yet, with the Centre for Retail Research reporting over 13,500 UK shops closing in 2024 alone, and an estimated 14,660 independent stores predicted to shut in 2025. Closures are up 28% from 2023, seen most recently in Bath with the closure of heritage department store Jolly’s. The arrival of Pockets Townhouse marks a strong case for the resurging value of bricks-and-mortar.  

Locals and visitors alike can expect expert, tailored styling from a knowledgeable team, with an emphasis on fabric, fit and feel. The building’s original Georgian architecture and interiors have been maintained, offering an immersive shopping experience just a stone’s throw from the high street. The boutique also features a variety of original abstract and illusionist artwork by Roy Osborne. 

The opening follows the recent expansion of Pockets’ flagship store in Shrewsbury, which launched a dedicated womenswear offering in July – a first for the business and the success of which cemented the added offering for Bath.  

Paul Platt, Founder, comments: “Bath has the kind of character and independent spirit that we really value. Pockets will fit right in. Our approach has always been simple: sell exceptional products with exceptional service in an exceptional space which people want to come back to. I feel grateful that we’re still here after almost 30 years, and I feel very sad a lot of our peers have gone.” 

He adds: “There’s still something to be said about the power of physical space. Creating an environment where people can feel the fabrics, speak to experts, and experience truly great service. When done right, physical retail still offers something the internet can’t, and I want to inspire a new generation of people to see that.”