Home Bargains to pump £25m into N Ireland expansion

DISCOUNT retailer T J Morris, the name behind Home Bargains, has announced a £25m plan to expand its business into Northern Ireland.

The privately-owned Liverpool retailer has said it wants to open between 20 and 25 stores across the country in the next three to five years.

Home Bargains, which already has more than 190 stores across the UK, said the investments will be opportunity-led, and added that it is keen to hear of any site availability.

Joe Morris, operations director at Home Bargains, said: “We’re very excited to be moving into Northern Ireland for the first time. We’re thrilled to be able to offer new jobs and new investment to the local economy, and are eager to hear about any suitable opportunities.

“Not only will our new stores benefit communities, they will also offer local residents the most popular household brands at exceptionally low prices.”

Home Bargains has proved it is a major beneficiary of the flight to value on the high street. The company, which made profits of more than £45m on a £482 turnover in 2009, hopes to have hit £1bn turnover by 2013 and have grown the number of its stores to 350.