“I THINK it’s brilliant,” say customers as a major retailer opens its doors at a new store in Reading.
Home Bargains has officially launched its new shop in Brunel Retail Park, opening at 8am on Saturday (September 23) in the Reading Link Retail Park.
The new store, which was a £1 million investment that has created about 70 new jobs, boasts a garden centre, bakery, and cafe. It will offer shoppers a range of products, including homewares, health and beauty essentials, sweets, snacks and drinks, as well as fresh and frozen food.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the new Home Bargains in Reading
Queuing at the opening this weekend, customer Michelle from Wokingham, said the new store is ‘brilliant’ and will ‘benefit the community’.
“I think they needed a bigger one,” she said. “I’ve got a lot of family who live up north and they have retail parks with Asda, Home Bargains, B&M and all the homeware stores in one place so this move makes our retail park so much better.”
She added: “I think it’s brilliant for the community and it has created so many jobs.”
Mother and daughter, Sarah and Chloe, were visiting the store opening as Chloe has been given her first job working there.
Sarah said: “My daughter, Chloe, works here now and wanted to come down and be a part of the opening.
“It’s only half a mile away from where we live so it’s really handy – it’s so big as well.”
READ MORE: Home Bargains announces new Reading opening date (and you don't have to wait long)
All staff members gathered outside the store to celebrate the opening before a cheque for £2,000 was donated to the local charity Reading Association for the Blind.
The donation has been made to reflect Home Bargain's ‘commitment to positive change and community support’.
A representative from the charity then cut the red ribbon, officially opening the store.
Anna Ward, area manager for Home Bargain, said she was excited about the opening and had high hopes for the store moving forward.
“It’s really exciting to be opening the new store in this location,” she said. “Especially in the retail park as it has been empty for quite a while.
“We can bring a lot to the community and we offer great quality products for low prices which will obviously benefit people in the Reading area.
She added: “It’s a great team and they are all from the local area.”
READ MORE: In the Dock: Man admits to possession of a sword latest in court
Ms Ward said that advertising of the store is all done through ‘word of mouth’ and hopes that customers will see the ‘great new store’ and ‘tell everyone to come’.
Commenting on the cheque handed to Reading Association for the Blind, Ms Ward said: “It’s to celebrate and give back to the local community.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article