DEPARTMENT STORE BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO SAXMUNDHAM

20-25 NEW JOBS CREATED AS £250,000 INVESTED AT OLD C&W SITE One of the UK’s fastest-growing retail businesses is pumping £250,000 into revitalising Saxmundham’s town centre, creating over 20 new jobs in the process. The Original Factory Shop, the local low price department store chain, opened a new store at Church Street on Saturday 16th April – and with it a pledge to be an integral part of the local community. The company, which has over 160 sites across the UK, is committed to small town centre shopping in an era when many other big businesses are moving to out-of-town shopping centres. The Original Factory Shop’s sales strategy is a mix of well-known high street brands at heavily discounted prices, together with an extensive range of clothing made for big name fashion retailers but sold for a fraction of the price, and own-brand products. Saxmundham shoppers can find household name brands such as Adidas, Trespass, Regatta, Vax, Silentnight, L’Oreal, Elizabeth Arden and Rimmel - all at knockdown prices. The 7,700 sq ft store offers a wide range of men’s, ladies’ and children’s fashions, as well as homewares, electricals and toiletries, including a large selection of branded goods – a value product mix that is proving popular in the current retail climate. Area Manager, Marnie Haslam, is confident that the store will breathe new life into Saxmundham town centre and in these testing economic times will play a very important role in the local community. “There’s a real buzz around town about us opening and the feeling is that our blend of great value and unbeatable prices will make us a firm favourite with local and visiting shoppers alike” she said. Marnie believes that the new store will be more than just another retail outlet for Saxmundham. “Our aim is to be an integral and valuable member of the community, an active member of it, supporting local people in as many ways as we can. We will be launching our ‘Make a Difference’ campaign in the town, where we will search for a local community organisation to support in 2011.” This community-based philosophy has been central to The Original Factory Shop’s success to date, as it has grown into one of the UK’s most popular value retailers, with expansion plans that will see 30 more stores open across the country each year. Led by CEO Angela Spindler, the former boss of Debenhams, the company has experienced steady growth over the past few years, with more than 2,600 employees in its 160+ locations.