TJ Hughes makes a big noise as it returns to shopping centre
OYEZ! Oyez! Popular department store TJ Hughes reopened its doors to shoppers at the Fishergate Shopping Centre (FSC) in Preston with the help of a very vocal town crier.
British Town Crier Peter Taunton helped spread the word across the city centre as the discount department store group returned to its original premises at the FSC after an absence of five years.
The opening is the latest stage in TJ Hughes managing director Anil Juneja’s plan to rebuild the group as a national chain, a commitment he made after it was bought by Lewis’s Home Retail in August 2011.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was carried out by senior members of the TJ Hughes team including HR Director Anna Gornall, regional store manager Harry Panayi and regional merchandiser Kathryn Bloxsome.
They were cheered on by shoppers and members of the store’s 60-strong staff. The Preston outlet is the 19th TJ Hughes store to be reopened by Lewis’s Home Retail. The company currently employs around 2,000 workers.
The Liverpool-headquartered discount department store group has returned to its original 33,000 sq ft premises over two floors at the centre, which is owned by Benson Elliot, on a 10 year lease.
TJ Hughes managing director Anil Juneja said: “It’s fantastic news for the city and the local economy. We’re really looking forward to seeing people back in the store.”
Harry Panayi said: “We’ve been hard at work for the past three weeks preparing for this moment.
“It’s really great to see it all come together and we are amazingly happy to be back in in Preston.”
Fishergate Shopping Centre manager Keith Mitchell said: “It is fantastic to see the doors re-open at TJ Hughes and the enthusiasm from shoppers over the store’s welcome return to Preston city centre.
“Staff at TJ Hughes have worked incredibly hard to get the store ready for trading and they have created something really special. The outlet looks tremendous.
“The opening of TJ Hughes increases the choice for city centre shoppers and is another sign of the confidence that exists in Preston city centre today. Add to that the jobs it has created and this is good news all round.”
The Fishergate Shopping Centre is also home to blue chip retail brands Debenham’s, TK Maxx and Primark.
UK-based private equity real estate fund manager Benson Elliot, which was founded in 2005, has invested heavily in retail centres in towns and cities across the country.
