Bargain shop opens in former Woolies
A NATIONAL chain store is taking over one of Paignton's prime town centre sites, investing £250,000 in the building.
The 99p Stores company is aiming to move into the former Woolworths outlet at Station Square in the next few weeks and says it will attract 20,000 shoppers a week.
There will be as many as 40 members of staff employed at the site, which workmen are currently gutting in preparation for the new tenants.
The company specialises in items such as biscuits, batteries, snacks, fashion, groceries, health and beauty products, kitchen items and stationery.
Gerry Loughran, 99p Stores' marketing director, said he had no doubts the outlet would be a huge success, bringing a major boost to the town's other shops.
He added: "We're going to be operating out of Paignton by the end of next month or early December.
"We'll be leasing the whole building, although we'll only be trading from the ground floor.
"It's a big store, about 15,000sq ft, so we think we'll have 20,000 paying customers coming through each week.
"There will be a mixture of part-time and full-time staff. We're 100 per cent confident of being a success in Paignton. We're taking this move very seriously. We do undertake lengthy research.
"The UK customer is open-minded about this sort of retailer. It's an anchor building in Paignton. We'll bring in more footfall to the town, so other retailers will see a boost.
"We've opened 41 Woolies stores to date. This week we'll open two more, and by the anniversary of the announcement of Woolies' closure we'll have created 1,600 jobs nationwide."
Founded by entrepreneur Nadir Lalani in January 2001, there are now more than 100 99p Stores across the country.
The Woolworths store closed last January.
Chris Lewis, Torbay's deputy mayor, said: "I welcome anything if the alternative is an empty shop.
"We've got to be realistic at the moment about what we can expect. We'd all hope for a more up-market outlet, but we are where we are.
"When Woolworths moved out they created a vacuum in the high street. If this provides increased footfall for Paignton, that's great."
Many traders in Paignton applauded the announcement that the site is to be used again.
Marcia McClements, manager of Warrens Bakery in Victoria Street, said: "It's just nice to have it open. It doesn't matter what it is. It's a big store and it definitely does pull people in.
"We haven't been as busy since Woolworths closed. It has had an impact on us."
Lee Rodgers, manager at Riviera Gifts in Torbay Road, said: "Paignton needs it open because it brings the top and bottom end of town together."
Brendan Jaffa, owner of Revells gift shop in Torbay Road, said: "I welcome the fact someone is going to take a risk. We are desperately short of risk-takers in this country."
Adam Hocking, assistant manager at Lloyd Maunder in Victoria Street, said: "We've already got a few pound shops in Paignton. I don't think it will really help bring people back into the town."
39 Comments
View all
by Kieran Pallett, Nottingham
Friday, October 23 2009, 7:53PM
“We have these dotted around the midlands. In my opinion there a load of rubbish and sell cheaply made products, I wouldnt shop there! I think a wilko's (wilkinsons) would have been great in that location.”
by Loon, Torbay
Friday, October 23 2009, 10:36AM
“"The mayor should concentrate on getting some quality into the town."
How, exactly?
"Quality" shops don't want to come to an area where the population are paid peanuts - less disposable incomes. The high earners tend to move to places like Totnes and Dartmouth, which is why they are full of Art galleries, organic gift shops and the like. Even the Lidl in Dartmouth is up at the "rough" end.
I've always found 99p stores to be totally frenetic, with cash registers ringing themselves to oblivion - I don't think that the projections quoted here are particularly outlandish.”
by shopowner-victoria st, Paignton and London
Thursday, October 22 2009, 5:35PM
“I am surprised that local traders support this- they will soon find that their businesses are undermined, even the bread there will be cheaper. I have always felt that Paignton apart from the shabby Crossways Centre has always had potential for attracting some of the wealthier people that visit Totnes, Dartmoor and areas such as Salcombe. How many large 99p stores has the deputy mayor seen, dimly lit crumbs on the floor, understaffed. What a great impression for the visitor entering the town from the station. The mayor should concentrate on getting some quality into the town, less tat, better quality food in the restaurants and cafes, better service in the hotels. Its time Paignton made the effort to market itself and become a more desirable destination for tourists, used local poroduce from land and sea, instead of microwaved sausages at every venue and gave both residents and visitors a better quality of life.
In allowing this store taking over Woolworths, after seeing the other 99p shops around the country, is one BIG error of judgement. By comparison, our old friend The £1 shop begins to look like Harrods.”
by Loon, Torbay
Thursday, October 22 2009, 10:21AM
“It amazes me that people react with indignation that "another pound shop" is daring to set itself up in Paignton.
Lets face it - Woolies has been empty for the best part of a year, yet I don't recall the likes of M&S, Waitrose et al clamouring to move in - you can't say that they didn't have the opportunity. They obviously don't feel that the people of Paignton would make such a venture commercially viable. Perhaps we should just be pleased that someone is moving in (as most of the town centre shops are according to this article), and hope that the increased footfall generated by such a shop (as opposed to an empty store) tempts more retailers to the town.”
by Be, Paignton Zoo
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 7:34PM
“My last remark has been removed.
I will see if it was modified somewhat it will be accepted.
I find the idea of this paper removing posts when it parent newspaper has just received the highest ever complaints to the Press Commission for an article that was without foundation...but there you go.
What I asked Anon was had he ever been to Bradford and got off the train there and faced similar shops, well that now reminds of the Paignton of the future, I also made a remark about the languages spoken in Bradford.
Also I made a comment to Carl about sale or return and that it was now used more than ever, he should try shopping around and seeing what credit terms he could get and the terms of contract, wholesalers and distributors are grasping what they can at the moment, how does he think these shops make a profit. The overall profit of this group is not staggering. Soon the streets of England will be full of charity shops and pound shops as the recession hits harder and the VAT is increased to 17.5% and beyond. Would I have a shop now, no I would not. Would I like to be young and growing up in the present climate, no I would not.
Right see if that gets by the moderator, i think it is not offensive is it?”