UK DIY News
Chris Dawson announces three new The Range stores
Founder of The Range Chris Dawson has revealed plans for three new stores in Cornwall, plus an exciting new concept for some outlets.
As well as three new stores in Cornwall, located in Bude, Newquay and possibly Bodmin or Camborne creating 300 new jobs, 'The Range on the Beach' concept will have more seasonal opening hours than the larger stores and will be tested for the first time in Cornwall in 2018.
Mr Dawson made the announcement while visiting the Truro and Penzance stores where he checked out the new Christmas displays and took time out to speak to local businesses owners.
Mr Dawson said: "I always think I owe the people of Cornwall more than in other parts of the country. This is the spot where I used to have my lorry and Plymouth may be where I started out of a suitcase, but the people down here have always made me feel great and more welcome than in other parts of the country.
"There were traders down from Manchester and London back then. And they wondered why I was doing great business. I always twisted my accent to put on a Helston twang. These guys kept asking me for the secret of my success. I told them it was simple. Local people could relate to me and my accent and made me feel welcome when they just didn't like them. These guys just approached the Cornish people the wrong way."
When asked why it had taken so long for The Range to expand south of the Tamar into Cornwall before the three current Cornish sites were built, Mr Dawson, who was ranked third in the Sunday Times Rich List and whose fortune is estimated at £1.65 billion, said he had saved the best for last.
He said he could not yet reveal where the concept Range on the Beach store would be but insisted it will be trialled in Cornwall. "We've opened 20 stores to date this year with three more to come before the end of the year," Mr Dawson, now 65, said. "Our new Beach Range store will open by next summer in Cornwall. We're also working with a food partner to expand in that field and are also looking at launching a music platform through the Range's website."
Mr Dawson said he will come back to Cornwall soon to hold a free business mentoring day so local entrepreneurs can have a chat with him and receive some free business advice.
Source: Insight DIY Team
Thank you for the excellent presentation that you gave at Woodbury Park on Thursday morning. It was very interesting and thought-provoking for our Retail members. The feedback has been excellent.