Fashion plans at Be a les store. Report:

The boss of a prominent retail store in Peterborough has give a thumbs up to the branch’s performance in its first four months.

And Tony Brown, chief executive of Beales, which reopened in Westgate in April, says he is already planning to increase some of the store’s fashion offering.

He said: “Overall we are content with the way it is going.

“Footfall is growing following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

“Fashionwear is selling very well at the moment with brands for younger customers selling exceptionally well.

“I am planning to expand the number of brands we have here. New arrivals are likely to include the menswear brand Blue Inc and the women’s brand Miss Attire.

“Overall, I am reasonably happy with the way the store is trading.”

He said: “Homeware, electrical goods and footwear are doing exceptionally well.

“Sales of furniture are also doing well and sales of bedding are out performing expectations.

“And as more people have found they can go on holidays, sales of luggage have also been increasing.”

Beales had traded in Westgate for nine years before the national company went into administration in 2020.

The Beales web address and brand were bought last year by New Start 2020, of which Mr Brown is a director.

The first store to reopen was in Poole. Buoyed by the former Peterborough store’s trading strengths, Mr Brown choose the city as the location for the second store opening. A third Beales store has since been opened in Stockport.

Tony Brown, chief executive of Beales, in the Peterborough store ahead of its reopening