99p store opening early for festive rush
A DISCOUNT store is to open two days earlier than planned because of popular demand.
The 99p Store had been due to take over the defunct Woolworths store in Paignton on Monday.
Now company bosses have decided to bring their grand opening forward to Saturday to meet increasing demand in the run up to Christmas.
A spokesman for the firm said: "We've had so much demand to open early.
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"It must be because we're getting closer to Christmas and people are after bargains and stocking fillers."
The company received more than 200 entries when it teamed up with the Herald Express to find a lucky shopper to open the new store in Station Square with a special 99-second trolley dash.
Delivery driver Kevin Stephens, from Preston, Paignton, and Penny Eustice, a car company employee, from Newton Abbot, were the lucky winners and will now go around the store on the opening day and fill it with as many items from the shelves as possible.
If either of them beats 99p Stores' record of 265 items, they will have the contents of their own trolley doubled and take it home.
Mr Stephens, 47, a father-of-two, said: "I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to go around the store like the clappers and try to grab Christmas decorations, tools, batteries and toys.
"I was sad to see Woolworths go. I was one of the last to go in the store.
"So it's good to be the first one in this new store. It's good to be involved in a happy event in Paignton."
Mrs Eustice, 67, had been due to take part in the trolley dash but will now be replaced by her daughter Penny and grandson Joe after the store decided to bring the opening day forward.
She said: "I hope she can grab a few toiletries and toys.
"I don't know if they will let Joe run around the store with her, but it's something they will enjoy. I'm a bit disappointed I can't do it myself."
The Paignton 99p Store will be the 123rd UK 99p Store and the 52nd ex-Woolworths store to be re-opened by the company.
The new store will open at 9am on Saturday.
Comments
by shop owner, Paignton and London
Monday, December 14 2009, 6:38PM
“Wow, so exciting and uplifting to see people running around having an excess of consumerism. This year 8% of shopping was done on the internet. So, how many cans of dogfood can be carried home on the bus from a 99p store? What happens next summer when several of the high street shops are empty. Of course the betting shops are there, the pubs will be open, thats just what people need for a great family holiday. After protests that it would ruin trade Victoria St was pedestrianised. This looks great, but it has prevented several companies from investing in the town,for example one-stop / express supermarkets or any retail outlet that requires a car to carry goods that are heavy. If retail outlets are not going to succeed because of parking restrictions, out of town shopping areas and the internet then the town centre needs to have a social value. I agree with Jane Davies, when everyone is exhausted from their excursions to the 99p shop, what could be nicer than sitting outside with friends and family in a car free safe environment in the summer and enjoying the conservation area of Paignton for its laid back architecture with refreshments. Thats something you can't buy on the internet, and this is how so many other towns in the south west make their money. We need to make the effort to attract these investors to Paignton and give the town a tourist uplift.”
by shopowner, london and Paignton
Monday, December 14 2009, 6:37PM
“Wow, so exciting and uplifting to see people running around having an excess of consumerism. This year 8% of shopping was done on the internet. So, how many cans of dogfood can be carried home on the bus from a 99p store? What happens next summer when several of the high street shops are empty. Of course the betting shops are there, the pubs will be open, thats just what people need for a great family holiday. After protests that it would ruin trade Victoria St was pedestrianised. This looks great, but it has prevented several companies from investing in the town,for example one-stop / express supermarkets or any retail outlet that requires a car to carry goods that are heavy. If retail outlets are not going to succeed because of parking restrictions, out of town shopping areas and the internet then the town centre needs to have a social value. I agree with Jane Davies, when everyone is exhausted from their excursions to the 99p shop, what could be nicer than sitting outside with friends and family in a car free safe environment in the summer and enjoying the conservation area of Paignton for its laid back architecture with refreshments. Thats something you can't buy on the internet, and this is how so many other towns in the south west make their money. We need to make the effort to attract these investors to Paignton and give the town a tourist uplift.
shopowner-victoria st, Paignton, London
Report abuse
commented on 14-Dec-2009 17:20”