H&M moves into Woolies store
TORQUAY town centre today received a massive shot in the arm today with confirmation that fashion giant H&M is taking over the former Woolworth's store.
Work has already started stripping out the unit on Union Street which has been empty since Woolworths closed last December with the loss of 170 jobs.
Today the news was welcomed by Lucy Ball (pictured), chief executive of the Torbay Town Centres Company.
The Herald Express revealed last month that the fashion retailer was looking to find a site in Torquay but was unable to say where the store may go.
The new shop is expected to be open next spring, said a company spokesman.
She said: "We have signed the deal. We expect the store to be open next Spring."
The spokesman said no details could be given on how many jobs the store will create at this stage.
When H&M opened a second store in Brighton, in another former Woolworths store, some 60 full-time and part- time jobs were created.
In January the group announced a global expansion of 225 new stores.
The news that the Swedish giant is investing in the town has been welcomed.
Town Centres Company chief executive Ms Ball said: "It's fantastic news, especially if they take the whole store. It will be great for that part of the town. A company of their calibre create destination stores that will bring people into the town.
"It is really good news for Torquay and really good news for young fashion lovers in the town."
Barry Buxton, chairman of Torbay Town Centres Company, said: "This will be a real fillip for the town. If we continue to get stores with this good reputation moving into the town, things will really start to happen. I am looking forward to it opening."
Annie Roberts, chairman of the Torquay Business Improvement District steering group and manager at Hoopers on The Strand, said: "It's brilliant news, very exciting. It is very positive for the town that a retailer like H&M is willing to invest in Torquay. It is a vote of confidence in the town."
H&M, which has stores in 34 countries and has 73,000 employees, is still expanding despite the recession. The company already has outlets in Exeter and Plymouth.
22 Comments
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by Sam, Torquay
Sunday, February 21 2010, 6:46PM
“Im Glad They Are Opening , Bringing Jobs To The Bay!”
by ashley, kent
Friday, October 09 2009, 7:00AM
“no Funnily enough. although your sharp Observation really shows me how i could lead a fuller life like yours.”
by Observer, Deux-Sevres
Thursday, October 08 2009, 8:13PM
“Ashley,Kent, University for two years reading what? Certainly not english language!”
by steve, Totnes
Thursday, October 08 2009, 5:53PM
“As one of the victims of the credit crunch .i.e. redundant. I wish i could afford to shop at the pound shop never mind a new retail outlet. If things dont improve then Torbay will die.”
by ashley, kent
Thursday, October 08 2009, 12:32PM
“Blimey, i forgot how attractive the port of southampton is. my fav is walking down bargate and surrounding areas, oh and not forgettting the lovely shopping offered around east street. such an aray of diversity that must make shoppers in southampton so proud. fact, i lived in southampton for 2 years whilst at uni. if it wasnt for the massive westquay development then you wouldnt have a leg to stand on. were a small seaside town shopper southampton. but then your reasearch must of told you that.”
by Shopper, Southampton
Thursday, October 08 2009, 12:17PM
“NB Paignton and Tommy Tucker Paignton.
Felt must reply if only to say that you must be related and God help Paignton. The only thing that is good about Paignton is the road out of it.
NB Paignton where does it say I live in Torbay, it does not, so I suggest you read more carefully. As for your statement " to be honest yes torbay has had a rough time of late with shops going out of business etc... but it will pick up eventually.... " you are dreaming did you see what I said about other high street traders pulling out of Union Street in Torquay, well that is a fact. I see Millets are going already, I missed that one.
As for Paignton you are having a cheap and nasty retailer moving into Rossiters....you deserve that.”
by NB, Paignton
Thursday, October 08 2009, 10:11AM
“You lot are hilarious, how can you take something so much out of context......
We are getting H&M which is good news for the bay.... and to be honest yes torbay has had a rough time of late with shops going out of business etc... but it will pick up eventually....
everybody is entitled to their own opinions but shopper... seriously!!! your opinion is boring and i'm glad you don't live here anymore...”
by Stan, Torbay
Wednesday, October 07 2009, 9:49PM
“Thanks shopper you have put my mind at rest, I don't think Mrs Stan will drag me out on a shopping expedition to H&M. especially as it is for young people with no taste in clothes. There must be a lot of them as H&m are doing quite well. (keep quiet about the cushions though)
Is Torquay really that bad? I don't like any shopping centre much, especially those big soul-less malls. At least Torquay has some character, where else could you get run over by a bus in a pedestrianised zone for example?”
by Tommy Tucker, Paignton
Wednesday, October 07 2009, 8:42PM
“Shopper, Southampton
you are a joker pure and simple. you say you couldn't wait to get out of town and in the same breath you say H&M is for the young. LOL i suggest you leave the bay for good then. Good rid-ens i say. Bottom line is if you don't like it. LEAVE!
oh and it is not for the young at all. Unless you have no taste in clothes.”
by Shopper, Southampton
Wednesday, October 07 2009, 6:54PM
“Tommy Tucker I was in one yesterday at Soton, I bought some cushions there, so 'excited' you are wrong.
Stan it is a shop for the young and is full of fashion(??) it is normal retailer, nothing special, I said it was like BHS as that what is modelled on. Is there a Matalan near you that is almost the same.
Nothing to shout about a step up from Primark and a step down from BHS, and two steps down from Marks and Sparks.
They will fill a space on your awful main street. I was doing research there the other week and could not wait to get out of the town, how overrated it is, the area is lovely but the shopping areas are utter rubbish. Sorry.
But you are having two empty shops I hear, maybe three, a camera shop will go, a outdoor leisure shop and a major home entertainment retailer will also disappear after Christmas.
I work for a retail consortium and we will be giving Torquay a miss.”