National budget retailer, The 99p Store is coming to Kenilworth with the creation of 30 new jobs when the new shop opens on Saturday December 8 at the former Co-op site.
The 99p Stores are opening their latest branch in the now empty 6,000 square feet shop space in The Square as part of a chain of new locations across the Midlands.
The Co-operative store in The Square closed on Saturday November 24 with the loss of 22 jobs.
The company put the closure down to low sales and footfall and said it is not viable to keep the small supermarket open.
And it is hoped that the new store - which will be open just two weeks on from the supermarket closure - will provide jobs for all those who lost their jobs so close to Christmas.
Bosses at The 99p Stores said they were keen to expend the brand across the West Midlands and very excited to be coming to Kenilworth.
But the addition of the national discount brand is being met with mixed reactions across the town and there is uncertainty how well it will be received.
Zoë Court, town centre manager, welcomed the news as ideal to keep retail units thriving and attract shoppers into Kenilworth.
“With the current economic climate as it is, families are being much more cautious with their money,” she said.
“So it is certainly no surprise that discount stores likes these are springing up around the country to meet the rise in demand.”
But others have expressed disappointment with the news and fearing for the independent retailers along Warwick Road in the face of yet more High Street names coming to the town.
One unsure shopper told the KWN: “This 99p store is going to be big and very popular smaller shops are going to struggle.
“Look now at Crash, Bang, Wallop, it will now won’t be long before that goes.”
Applications are still being taken for sales positions at the new store with CVs to
jobs@99pstoresltd.com
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 5:34 pm