99p store moves in at old Woolies
THE former Woolworths store in Tonbridge is vacant once again – but there could be a cheeky surprise for shoppers just around the corner.
Northamptonshire-based firm 99p Stores Ltd will be moving into the High Street unit in mid-February on a permanent lease.
Bosses have not ruled out bringing in the Cheeky Girls, who have opened several of their other stores, to make a headline-grabbing appearance for the grand opening.
Commercial director Hussein Lalani said: "We went for Tonbridge because we have a good presence in Kent anyway with our stores in Maidstone, so it fitted quite nicely.
"We're planning to open around Valentine's Day, which shows how much we like Tonbridge, and we'll be employing around 30 full-time people.
"Maybe we could bring the Cheeky Girls down to launch a new romantic perfume?"
The new store will replace One Pound and Less which shut on January 4 after its temporary lease came to an end.
It is the 57th ex-Woolworths shop it has taken over and its 127th store in England.
Mr Lalani added: "We'll start recruiting at the beginning of February through the local Job Centre.
"We'll probably also start work on the store around that time as well.
"It's good news for jobs and good we're keeping the site running.
"When you have a big site like the Woolies one closed then the surrounding businesses are hit too.
"I know the previous tenant was only a temporary lease but people shouldn't worry because we're on a full lease so we will be here to stay."
The firm has created about 2,000 jobs in the last 12 months as it has almost doubled in size, mainly due to the taking over of the old Woolworths stores.
What do you think? Have your say at www.thisiskent.co.uk/tonbridge
5 Comments
by Frank MacDonald, Royal Tunbridge wells
Thursday, February 18 2010, 1:23PM
“CONGRATULATIONS TO TONBRIDGE !!!
Fantastic news for me and my many freinds and out families to read of the introduction to the new store opening in Tonbridge .I for one will be a very frequent user of this store and already have my eye on a lot of items to purchase as soon as the doors are open .Good luck Tonbridge and down with the pompous people who consider T.wells too good for such a convenient store .long may 99p stores reign.”
by Gabriella Coscia, Tunbridge Wells
Sunday, January 31 2010, 3:35PM
“Thank god 99p stores didn't get their hands on Woolworths in Tunbridge Wells although they did try but Westfield said no, as they did to Primark.
I quite like Tonbridge if it has been Poundland I would have used it I do not like 99p stores but at least it brings a retail unit back in to use for Tonbridge.
Regarding Tonbridge being the poor relation of Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells, I don't agree, Tonbridge has some good stores, the shopping centre is smaller but it's not that bad otherwise you would not have a Waitrose branch, or Caffe Nero, or Pizza Express --
Ps if anyone from Poundland reads this article please buy the former Noakes in Tunbridge Wells and turn in to a Poundland - In anticiapation !”
by chas somerhill, near tudeley
Sunday, January 17 2010, 12:22AM
“i too have mixed feelings,but if mr lalani [ is he related to hanif lalani,a very senior ex director from bt?] can bring jobs to tn9 ,then good luck. the frank east s stores /baldocks etc have gone from the world[more is the pity] but c est la vie.and susan, i ll have to meet you one day for a drink in the angel hotel..[oops its gone]..joke..please dont be offended.”
by Susan Kilick, Tonbridge
Saturday, January 16 2010, 4:18PM
“I am not at all surprised that a 99p store is opening in Tonbridge. Any retailer doing their homework will find that this type of store will do well in the town. It is a sad fact of life that Tonbridge is the poor relative of Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks. For choice you travel out of the town. However, there will probably be those in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks who will be tempted to come to Tonbridge because neither town appears to cater for those on a limited budget.”
by Ranter, Sevenoaks
Saturday, January 16 2010, 1:25PM
“I have mixed feelings about this. A '99p Store' may well use a vacant shop space and generate some jobs but it will certainly not help in dragging up the good feeling needed to regenerate such a High Street. Such stores only serve to reinforce a dismal feeling of despair and hopelessness.”