Express & Star

The Range is ready to open at Stafford retail park

Final preparations are being made to a new homewares superstore which will open in Staffordshire tomorrow, creating more than 80 jobs.

Published

The Range, on Greyfriars Business Park in Stafford, will open at 9am.

The new store has 16 departments, including an outdoor garden centre.

Stafford's Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Geoff Collier and Cathy Collier, will officially open the superstore. They will be joined by company owner Chris Dawson.

Mr Dawson said: "Each store plays an important part in the success of our company and it is essential we have the right employees.

"We are very lucky with the staff we have and look forward to inviting the new team members to the company."

At the official opening tomorrow, there will also be a special performance by 15 children from Burton Manor Primary School, in Stafford, with their teacher Jim Reynolds.

Signal One will be broadcasting live from the store and will be running a competition to win £250 worth of Range vouchers.

There will be giveaways to the first 50 people in the queue. The fun includes free face painting for children and craft demonstrations in store throughout the weekend. Mr Dawson added: "I would like to thank the council for welcoming us and being so supportive.

"We feel The Range is a unique shopping experience that has something for everyone and we are confident the people of Stafford will enjoy what The Range has to offer."

More than 80 jobs have been created at the new Range store, from sales assistants to store managers.

Stafford's new branch is the latest in 120 Range stores around the country, and includes an external garden centre.

The Range also took over the former Hooty's store in Willenhall, opening in April 2014. It was opened by interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, who shot to fame on makeover show Changing Rooms in the late 1990s.

He spoke to shoppers and staff at the store after cutting the ribbon to the revamped premises.

People were queueing outside for three hours before the store opened.

The company took over the building in Longacres Industrial Estate after Hooty's closed in December, 2013 after 50 years of trading.

Around 95 staff who worked at the store were able to keep their jobs and bosses said the company would recruit further staff.

Shoppers spoke of their sadness when Hooty's closed, saying it had become popular for its wide range of stock.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.