NEW JOBS AFTER DISCOUNT STORE MOVES INTO BIGGER ‘PALACE’
Poundland relocates to town’s retail park
SHOPPERS have given their seal of approval to a new Poundland store.
The discount giant opened its latest branch at Jasper Square Retail Park in Tunstall on Saturday.
It vacated its High Street shop and moved into the former Next unit after the fashion and homeware retailer pulled out of the town during the pandemic.
Poundland’s 13 employees have moved to the new branch where they have been joined by 10 new members of staff.
The new unit – which is almost three times bigger than the old store – sells groceries, household goods, health and beauty products, the full range of PEP&CO family fashion, and the new PEP&CO Home range. And chilled and frozen food will also appear in store from Wednesday.
Store manager John Sheppard, aged 32, said: “The store is bigger and we have more variety of goods.
“We now have the full clothing range which is proving very popular. And we are now selling a lot of soft furnishings.
“And on Wednesday we introduce our frozen and chilled range. We used to have one chiller but this will have ice creams, pizzas, absolutely everything.
“We still have the core Poundland range which is £1 and the multibuy stuff.”
Retail director Austin Cooke, aged 39, added: “We are bringing some quality and value to Tunstall, and jobs.
“We have lots more space for people to get around. We have gone from a little shop on the High Street to this. It is a bit of a palace in comparison.
“We have a new homeware range and will be having a new chilled and frozen foods range. We are a one-stop shop.”
Shoppers were very impressed with the new store.
Paul Donnelly, aged 55, of Biddulph, said: “It is very good.
They have some bargains. There is free parking. We will be able to get anything we want here. There is more choice, more variety at the right prices.”
Beth Wallace and Kyle Cartwright, of Fegg Hayes, enjoyed their visit to the store. Beth, aged 23, said: “It is lovely. There is a lot more clothing for the little ones. I do not have to struggle going to Hanley now.”
Kyle, aged 25, added: “The staff are lovely. We were made very welcome.”
Jeanette Jones, aged 55, of Tunstall, said: “It is fantastic. It has a really good feel about it. I think I will be coming every week. It is just what Tunstall needs. I am really impressed with it, especially the clothing.”
Susan Bickerton, aged 49, of Stanfield, added: “It is very good. It saves having to go to Hanley. I think it is better than the Hanley shop. It is a lot bigger. I have just got a bargain for Christmas.”