A new discount shop selling womenswear and childrenswear has opened in Ilkeston, located in one of the units at the town's former Co-op. Ilkeston Discount Chain Store Ltd promises some "great bargains".
The shop has been opened by long-term market trader Andy Hampton. On the rails are former chain store or high street liquidation stock. Andy carried on trading, often in Long Eaton and Chesterfield, despite a serious back injury in 2006, but now, aged 55, he has decided to quit outdoor trading for his own shop.
The store, in South Street, also stocks gifts, household goods and gardening tools. Andy, who is running the business with his wife Angie, said: "We've always done markets, steam rallies and car shows up and down the country, selling clothing, household goods and children's toys. I've decided to open the shop because of my disability. I broke my back in 2006, and years of putting marquees up as a hardened market trader has taken its toll on me.
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"I'm Ilkeston born-and-bred and I've got 100% faith that the store will be a success. All of the stock we get is new with tags. Unfortunately, due to trading standards laws, we have to remove any labels so customers cannot come and purchase from us at a discounted price and take it back to the original retailer."
The store will be open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5.30pm for the first month of trading.
Joe Cahill, from Ilkeston's independent shops Facebook page, played a key role in helping Andy find and set up shop. He said: "It’s been a pleasure to source an affordable retail unit for this new and exciting business and I’m particularly pleased I found one in the former Co-op building.
"With this and the businesses already established there, it’s as close as we can get to the shopping experience of the good old Co-op days. South Street shops are all rented and with four shops in Bath Street currently under development and a long-term derelict property just being sold to a local developer the future is looking very promising."
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