B&M Opens New SPACE with Help from Local Children's Charity

B&M cut the ribbon on their new Chester store on Saturday - the third to open in the city.

Based on the Greyhound Retail Park, the brand new Home Store on Sealand Road will be situated on the site of the former Tesco Home Plus, creating 80 new jobs in the process.

B&M always likes to celebrate a Local Hero when opening a new store, with today’s ceremony no different.

A Local Hero can be nominated by the local public or by store colleagues, and is a group or individual who has contributed to the local community in an important way.

B&M invited along Jemma Gregory to cut the ribbon, after she was nominated by Claire Edge for her work at SPACE.

SPACE is a charity which Jemma co-founded, aiming to provide a multi-sensory play area for children with special needs.

Claire spoke of her admiration for the work Jemma has put in for the charity.

She said: “She has been the backbone of the whole thing.

“We now have fortnightly meetings where families are supporting each other, something that families like ours have never had.

“Jemma is a mum of a child with special needs as well as 2 other children, and is also a trustee of another charity which is related to her daughter’s condition – she also organises family getaways for this group.

“She gives everything her all and I would just like to say a massive thank you and what better way than to do it publicly; myself and all the families she has helped truly believe she deserves it.”

As well as cutting the ribbon, Jemma also received £250 worth of B&M vouchers to spend in store, as a thank you for everything she’s done.

Jemma was not alone in participating in the opening ceremony, with both the Lord Mayor Elect, Councillor Hugo Deynem and the Lord Mayoress Elect Mrs Deb Deynem attending to help make the day memorable.

Representatives from SPACE were also present to attempt to raise funds for the charity by bag packing, ensuring that the first few lucky B&M customers didn’t need to lift a hand.

New customers to the store were able to enjoy all the bargains they’d came to expect from B&M’s Bargain stores, as well as an extensive non-food section including home furnishings, electrical and seasonal goods..

There was something for everyone, as fans of Disney’s Frozen and the Despicable Me Minions were able to meet their favourite characters at the event, with face painting and free Mornflakes also capping an unforgettable day.