July 2011

A low price department store chain is creating 20 jobs in Warrenpoint, County Down.

The Original Factory Shop is opening a new store on Newry Road at the redundant Freshfields site in August.

The company is investing £250,000 into the project.

The chain, which has over 170 sites across the UK, said it is committed to small town centre shopping when many others stores are moving to out-of-town centres.

The Original Factory Shop sells clothing, footwear, homewares and electrical products from top brands at up to 70% off the recommended retail price.

As well as top brands, the store will stock many products made originally for other high street retailers, but now being sold at a fraction of the price.

Mark Dodington, acquisitions manager of The Original Factory Shop, said he was confident that the store will "breathe new life" into Warrenpoint.

He said that in the current testing economic times, it will play a very important role in the local community.

The Original Factory Shop was established in 1969 as part of Peter Black's, selling surplus M&S stock.

It operates 170 stores and employees 2,600 staff.

It has a turnover of over £132m and in 2010 announced its fifth consecutive year of double digit profit growth.

It is one of the fastest growing retailers in the UK

See the full article here

THE Original Factory Shop in Crewkerne has presented £260 to the Ferne Animal Sanctuary.

The shop chose Ferne, which is based at Chard, as its charity for the year and collected donations from staff and customers.

Ferne director Jenny Wheadon said: “I would like to thank everyone at the Factory Shop for their wonderful support.”

Jenny is pictured receiving the cheque from the Original Factory Shop's Rachel Male.

Read the full article here