Rivalry hots up as new pound shop opens in Shrewsbury
A national discount chain opened in Shrewsbury today, going head to head with a rival franchise.
Poundworld officially opened in Pride Hill shopping centre this morning, creating 14 new jobs.
It has gone into direct competition with rival American franchise Poundland, which has a store in the neighbouring Darwin shopping centre.
As manager Gareth Benting prepared to open the shutters this morning, he said competition was already hotting up between the two chains, and admitted the store has partly come to Shrewsbury to create some healthy rivalry.
He said: "One of the decisions about coming here was to create competition.
"We hope the people of Shrewsbury will welcome us, we are not scared about competition in the slightest.
"We're excited to be opening our first store in Shrewsbury and it's great to be able to create new retail jobs for the town.
"We're confident that we can tempt people away from Poundland with our fantastic bargains.
"I think our general attitude right now is bring it on."
The two bargain chains recently featured on BBC television documentary Pound Shop Wars which charted competition between the chains.
Kevin Lockwood, manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside shopping centres, believes the store will help boost the local economy and improve retail growth in Shrewsbury.
He said: "The opening of the new Poundworld today is a real boost to the local economy and another great addition to the retail offer here in Shrewsbury .
"They are major players on the UK high street and we're delighted to welcome them to the Pride Hill centre."
A number of independent traders have opened for business in the two shopping centres in recent weeks, which Mr Lockwood believes has helped generate employment.
He said: "The opening of independents like Flutterbies, Golden Guitars, Cherry's, Chikpe, Alleyna's, Credible Accessories, Funky Fashions and Vapes as well as two tailors, M and M Tailoring and Shrewsbury Top Tailoring have also added to the mix here.
"They underline the importance of the Shrewsbury Shopping Centres to the town as in the last six months we will have created over 70 new jobs."
