Range of bargains as new store opens

These are the first pictures from Telford's new bargain basement superstore The Range, just 24 hours before it opened its doors to shoppers.

While discount deals galore are on offer inside, no expense or effort has been spared on the revamp with a £1.5million budget set aside.

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It has taken over the former Focus outlet at Telford Shopping Centre. And managers pulled out all the stops to get the premises ready in time for the Bank Holiday opening today.

The usual turnaround period was reduced from 13 weeks to six weeks from concept to completion and 60 staff were recruited in just two days.

"It has been a really exciting time with so much happening," said Telford store manager Phil Price.

"We were very lucky and very impressed at the quality of candidate in Telford which meant we were able to recruit all our staff within just two days which allowed us to get on with the revamp and get it ready for this weekend."

And it seems bargain hunters as well as workers are keen to get in on the act with shoppers knocking on the doors consistently this week since signs went up outside the store.

"We knew there was a keen interest in The Range concept in Telford but we have seen it in reality this week with dozens of people looking to see if they could get in before we have even opened," said Mr Price.

He said the company expected that its extensive arts and crafts section and pets section, together with seasonal offers, would be among the best-sellers with shoppers.

"We don't sell live pets but we do stock everything anyone would ever need for pets, including chicken coops which we expect to be popular in the current climate as people look to be more self-sufficient," he said.

Owner Chris Dawson, a self-styled rags-to-riches success story, said Telford was a town thriving with development opportunities when he announced The Range was to open a store in the town.

By Women's Editor Tracey O'Sullivan

The Range store has taken over the former Focus DIY outlet in Telford.

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Manager Phil Price.

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Managers pulled out all the stops to get the premises ready in time for the Bank Holiday opening.

The usual turnaround period was reduced from 13 weeks to six weeks from concept to completion and 60 staff were recruited in just two days.

nextpage

Owner Chris Dawson, a self-styled rags-to-riches success story, said Telford was a town thriving with development opportunities when he announced The Range was to open a store in the town.