Uniqlo has opened its latest store in Kings Cross with practical, artistic and delicious nods to the chain's Japanese roots and culture.

The global clothes chain opened its doors in Coal Drops Yard, near Kings Cross station, on Thursday (September 19).

The first 100 customers through the door on Saturday (September 21) will receive a goody bag.

UNIQLO app customers shopping over the opening weekend can also win a trip to Tokyo by scanning the app with any purchase to be entered into the draw.

Customers can browse and buy men's and women's clothing across three floors, but the second floor has a vending machine selling items of children's fashion.

A collage of what the Coals Drop Yard Uniqlo store offers including clothes from vending machines, part of Japanese cultureA collage of what the Coals Drop Yard Uniqlo store offers including clothes from vending machines, part of Japanese culture (Image: Uniqlo)

This is a collaboration with East Japan Railway Company (JR-East), which sells products through vending machines in Japan, where they are an integral part of the culture.

In keeping with sashiko - the historic Japanese tradition of mending clothes decoratively - the second floor also has a RE UNIQLO Studio where customers can recycle, repair or remake their favourite items so they can keep wearing them for longer.

Partnering with London Mural Festival 2024, UNIQLO has collaborated with Pref, a British artist who took inspiration from the brand's 'Made For All' philosophy to create an artwork in his classic typography style.

For the Kings Cross branch, Uniqlo is collaborating with Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, where two fashion graduates are designing an Eki stamp inspired by Coal Drops Yard.

An Eki stamp is found at many train stations in Japan, with designs typically featuring imagery emblematic of the station's city or surrounding landmarks.

The Uniqlo store in Coals Drop YardThe Uniqlo store in Coals Drop Yard (Image: Uniqlo)

Shōtengai Market, a Japanese style market, will be held in Coal Drops Yard estate every month, to showcase pan-Asian businesses.

For the opening, vendors Kichiya will sell Japanese-inspired baked goods, and Onigiriheads will offering Onigiri and other Japanese snacks. These stalls on the second floor will be open from September 19 to 22 and September 26 to 29. Customers can retain their receipts to qualify for a discount.

The retailer is also providing clothes donations to charity New Horizon Youth Centre, which supports young homeless people.

Uniqlo announced its plans to move to Coal Drops Yard in June. The building is in part of a Grade II-listed industrial hub built by Kings Cross station's architect in 1851 for transporting coal around the UK.

In the 1980s the area became the heart of London's rave scene. The Uniqlo store used to be the location of ‘Bagleys’, a 2,500 capacity music venue.

In 2018 it was redeveloped by Heatherwick Studios featuring modern 'kissing roofs' above the original yard.

But the new plans for a pavilion-style building dividing the yard into narrower shopping streets have been slammed by Angel of the North artist Sir Antony Gormley, while conservation groups say they were not consulted.

Uniqlo will be opening another store in London’s White City Westfield on the October 10.

Alessandro Dudech, chief operating officer at Uniqlo UK, said the retailer was "thrilled" to be continuing its UK expansion.

He added: "We are excited to be able to offer LifeWear to the local communities of people who live and work in the buzzing Coal Drops Yard and Kings Cross area and look forward to welcoming back customers to the renovated White City store in October."