A family-run flooring retailer has opened its latest store in the North-East, bringing its total to 28.
Franks the Flooring Store has chosen the Team Valley Retail Park in Gateshead as the venue for its latest store, which is now open to the public.
The company has invested £150,000 in the new, 5,500 square foot store selling a range of flooring including carpets, wood flooring, vinyl tile, laminate, rugs and artificial grass.
The opening has also created three new jobs for local people.
Frank’s Business Development Manager, Mick Copeland, said: “We are delighted to have been able to open our first store in Gateshead.
“The Team Valley Retail Park is one of the top 20 largest shopping parks in the UK, so it’s a fantastic location to introduce the Frank’s brand to shoppers.
“It becomes the largest showroom store in the Group and will play an important part of our strategy to remain the number one carpet retailer in the North East.”
There are four other carpet retailers already trading at Team Valley, but Mr Copeland says Frank’s is not afraid of the competition.
He adds: “We remain a family-run business with a fantastic reputation in the North East of England, so we are confident that with the great customer loyalty we have built up over the last 22 years, this store will be just as successful as the others.
“No other store can match the range of flooring we have, and we are also the only retailer which can guarantee next day delivery, so these are just some of the factors that set us apart from other flooring retailers.
“Many retailers, and not just in the flooring sector, are feeling the pinch in the current climate, but we are continuing to grow with the opening of new stores like this.”
This is the third new Frank’s the Flooring Store to open in the North East in 2018, following other openings in Coulby Newham and South Shields.
The company also continues to invest in its existing stores, including a recent £60,000 revamp of its flagship store in Portrack Lane, Stockton.