BIRMINGHAM-based jewellery retailer RockC & Co has opened a new format store in Leicester city centre in time for the Christmas shopping rush.

National commercial property consultancy, Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) acquired the 550 sq ft unit on Clock Tower Mall, Haymarket Centre.

The new store is RockC & Co's sixth in the country and is part of a strategic acquisition programme to expand its national presence, with the firm hoping to retail from around 20 such stores by 2013.

Dean Millard of RockC & Co said: "Over the past five-years we have witnessed overwhelming demand from our customers. 

"We are confident that our new store in Leicester will experience the same success as our established stores in Birmingham, Blackpool, Liverpool, Southend and Portsmouth and we look forward rolling out further stores over the coming years."

Martin Herbert, Head of Retail Agency at LSH's Leicester office, said: "It is incredibly encouraging to see niche independent retailers expanding amidst such challenging market conditions.

"This new format store will benefit from excellent levels of footfall being positioned on the principal walkway leading from the main mall, and will provide an enhanced shopping experience for customers in time for Christmas."

Rowley Hughes Thomson acted on behalf of the landlord, Winllan Leicester Unit Trust.