Jobs joy as B&M opens in Stafford

Kingsmead Retail Park in Stafford has been empty since Morrisons pulled out a year ago which resulted in neighbouring businesses suffering.

In June it was reported that firms reported losses of 80 per cent while some traders were even forced to leave because it was such a big blow to their businesses.

The site, including the car park, remained closed for more than a year so the arrival of the bargains store has been met with a sense of relief when it opened over the weekend.

Bosses say it has instilled a new sense of hope that it will bring customers back to the town. Along with that, it also brought more than 50 jobs Stafford.

The building has had a complete internal and external refurbishment and the new store is 13,000 sq ft of the retail park which it shares with Aldi and Just for Pets. It has a 450-space car park. Aldi will be opening in November but the exact date is yet to be confirmed and the Just for Pets opening has not been announced yet.

Stafford MP, Jeremy Lefroy, was at the opening said: “Firstly, I’m delighted because Staffs has been suffering from the matter of car parks and retail business.

“I welcome the fact that people are going to come and shop in that area. I have been hoping and pushing for the car park to be open for a long time. In the end we’ve got to a stage where the car park is open with a lot of spaces that are pleasantly set out and there is a good new retail site which will see a lot of people visit the town, particularly that area.”

At the opening, new employees nominated charity Headway South Staffordshire for the work they do in the community to open the store and they received £250 worth of B&M vouchers as a thank you.

The charity helps survivors who suffered a brain injury regain some quality of life through a wide range of different services, including rehabilitation programmes, carer support, social re-integration, community outreach and respite care.

Store manager, Laura Bailey, said: “We’re feeling really positive about the creation of new jobs for local people and feedback from customers has been great so far.”