B&M Relaunch Sparks Employment Boost in Longton

The expansion of a B&M store has provided a major jobs boost in Staffordshire.

B&M –one of the fastest growing retailers in the UK- has given its Longton store a fresh make over, creating 40 jobs in the process.

The store, located on The Strand, has incorporated neighbouring retail unit Internacionale, transforming it from a Bargain store into a brand new B&M Home Store.

Renovation works had been ongoing while the Bargains store continued to trade and weeks of hard work culminated in the grand re-opening on Thursday morning.

Not only will the increase in employment be welcomed by the local community, the addition of extra shop floor space will allow the store to offer even more big brand products not previously available to Longton residents.

John Paddock, project manager for the store, spoke to the Stoke Sentinel newspaper before the store re-opened.

He said: “We have been moving the stock into the store in phases to keep it open. Once complete it will be a B&M Home Store which means that we will stock everything such as furniture, wallpaper, paint and rugs.

“Our sales have already increased and we’ve had some great feedback from customers.”

To help mark the occasion B&M invited local charity Douglas Macmillan Hospice to be their VIP guests for the day. Representatives took part in the official ribbon cutting along with Lord Mayor of Stoke, councillor Majid Khan.

The hospice received £250 worth of B&M vouchers as a thank you for opening the store and representatives took part in bag packing throughout the day to raise further funds for the charity.

Hundreds of shoppers passed through the renovated Home Store’s doors on Thursday and the first customers were given a free B&M Bag for Life.