New Burnley discount store to open at former Woolworths site
9:57am Wednesday 16th March 2011 in North West
NEW LEASE OF LIFE The St James Street premises
A NEW discount outlet is set to complete the regeneration of the former Woolworth’s in Burnley town centre.
Bosses of 99p Stores say they will open the 140th branch of their chain at the St James Street premises later this month.
Thirty-five new jobs will be created by the move, which will take place following internal renovations at the Charter Walk store.
Fashion retailer Peacock’s has already submitted plans to create a new shop in the remainder of the former Woolworth’s premises.
Proposals lodged with Burnley Council show that this project alone will also lead to 10 extra full-time and part-time openings for jobhunters.
Hussein Lalani, 99p Stores boss, said: “We have conducted extensive research and discovered Burnley people love a bargain as much as anywhere in the United Kingdom.
“We are sure our new branch of 99p Stores will provide the range and value that cash conscious shoppers demand these days.
“We will have more than 8,000 different product lines, many of which will change weekly.”
Store managers are also on the lookout for a shopper who can perform the opening ceremony for the new branch, who will be given a 99-second trolley dash down the aisles and receive VIP treatment for the day.
The only other northwest and Yorkshire stores operated by the same company are in Liverpool and Halifax.
Former Woolworth’s stores across East Lancashire have suffered mixed fortunes since the collapse of the chain two years ago.
The old Nelson store now houses a post office, Heron Foods and Store 21 clothing.
The former Rawtenstall branch has been home to another clothing company, POSH, but new owners are currently being sought.
Comments(9)
Inter-Rossiter
says...
11:29am Wed 16 Mar 11
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I can take you to many so-called middle England towns where their main shopping high street has been decimated.
Every other shop front boarded up. It certainty does not exacerbate economic confidence. In fact, it drives shoppers away.
Phuck Mei Banjina
says...
1:12pm Wed 16 Mar 11
Truth will out
says...
2:16pm Wed 16 Mar 11
Go on - enlighten us as to what this "extensive research" was. Asking a couple of old dears if they'd like to pay less than a pound for washing-up liquid doesn't cut it.
blylad
says...
6:37pm Wed 16 Mar 11
Inter-Rossiter wrote:Good point. Every town in the area has its fair share of discount stores. Burnley has Poundland, Home Bargains, Wilkinson and soon 99p Stores, Accrington has Poundland, Poundworld, Wilkinson, Home Bargains and B&M (ok maybe they have a few too many) Blackburn has Poundworld and B&M and Bury has Poundland, Wilkinson and 2 Home Bargain stores. Whatever people think of them, they are popular stores and are far more preferable than an empty store. On that note there are now only 4 small empty units in Charter Walk which is an extremely low vacancy rate especially given the current economic climate.
These two shops are preferable to a large empty store. They will also create much needed employment opportunities. . I can take you to many so-called middle England towns where their main shopping high street has been decimated. Every other shop front boarded up. It certainty does not exacerbate economic confidence. In fact, it drives shoppers away.
Chris P Bacon
says...
8:15pm Wed 16 Mar 11
Inter-Rossiter wrote:I don't think forcing anyone daft enough to visit the town centre to pay vastly increased parking charges for the benefit to do so helps, either.
These two shops are preferable to a large empty store. They will also create much needed employment opportunities.
.
I can take you to many so-called middle England towns where their main shopping high street has been decimated.
Every other shop front boarded up. It certainty does not exacerbate economic confidence. In fact, it drives shoppers away.
bankhall
says...
11:25pm Wed 16 Mar 11
BIGGLESTOE
says...
11:32pm Wed 16 Mar 11
Truth will out wrote:Perhaps them 'Old dears' with sweet teeth might have leaned towards the cheap bars of Toblerone! Seriously though, unfortunately the research may have been based on the large percentage of area's shopping population, having to stretch their minimum wage/pensions/benefi
"We have conducted extensive research and discovered Burnley people love a bargain as much as anywhere in the United Kingdom."
Go on - enlighten us as to what this "extensive research" was. Asking a couple of old dears if they'd like to pay less than a pound for washing-up liquid doesn't cut it.
ts, as far as possible. Can't wait to see super snobs snaking out of store with goods tucked in M&S bags. Hee Hee
birdkeith
says...
1:23pm Thu 17 Mar 11
or two of the above comments set out just how many of them we have,yet no mention of the charity shops pawn shops
make up the mix, typical tactics of a discredited political ideology,(put up a front and tell people constantly only one side;, and eventually the plebs will believe the hype, i mean you will notice not one of them mentions the other part of the building,yes folks that is also going to be another bargain shop,
brilliant, and if you can take me to other towns with high streets being boarded up id be willing to bet most of them are lib/dem controled
DaveBurnley says...
10:19am Wed 16 Mar 11
Mind you it is well located near MacDonalds so the local toerags can waddle backwards and forwards between their favourite places.