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Huge expansion for Reidy’s FACTS Blackburn shop becomes 65,000 sq ft as part of town regeneration project
Some stuff that you may or may not need to know about Reidy’s...
Has been a prominent feature of Blackburn town centre since
1922 Store manager Paul Nuttall outside the firm’s new, expanded, 65,000 square feet headquarters in Blackburn BY ADAM SAVAGE
REIDY’S, AN MI retailer in Blackburn since 1922, is relocating to a 65,000 square foot superstore in the Lancashire town. The shop is currently one
of the last businesses based in an old market building on Penny Street, a structure due to be demolished as part of a massive regeneration scheme. Reidy’s was given a 100-
year lease after being compulsory purchased back in 1944 and it has taken around five years to find a suitable new home for the dealership. Set to open at the end of August or beginning of
September this year, the new premises – situated under a new £8 million car park – will create room for an additional £2 million of gear. Speaking to MI Pro, store manager Paul Nuttall was understandably enthusiastic about the move and showed he is not daunted by the prospect of having so much more space to fill. “It’s not a challenge
because the £2 million of equipment is ready to go in there,” said Nuttall. “We want to make it a destination shop – we’ve got specialist areas for Yamaha, Fender, Taylor, Marshall, Orange and many more, as well as an area that will hold 50 new
Rickenbackers, something that not many other retailers can offer. “We’ve always been busy
since we opened in 1922. One thing we’ve lacked up to now is space, but hopefully this will now make us the biggest in the UK.” Although comprised
almost entirely of selling space – the offices will become part of the warehouse facility – the new Reidy’s will also feature a fully lit concert stage, where it plans to put on at least one gig per week. “We’re looking to get local
artists involved and it also helps that we’re right in the middle of a huge student
area, so there will be plenty of young people adding to the mix of customers.” Also set to join the retail
outlet at its new HQ is All Around the World – a record label run by Nuttall’s brother Chris – which includes N-Dubz and Danni Minogue. Town hall regeneration
chief Dave Harling confirmed that despite there being changes in the pipeline for Blackburn, Reidy’s was always at the forefront of its plans.
“Reidy’s is a good and thriving business and we want to keep them in the town centre, the question has always been, where?,”
Has remained a family-run business since the day it opened.
99.8
per cent positive feedback rating for its online service.
Has been trading over the Internet since
2001
Is also home to the All Around The World record label.
Retail
www.mi-pro.co.uk
July 2011 53
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