Jobs boost as first store opens on Cannock's new retail park
The first store on a new multi million pound retail park in Cannock has opened, creating 15 new jobs.
Sofa Works, at the Gateway retail park on the Churchbridge interchange, opened its doors to customers on Saturday.
A drive-through Costa Coffee and the first Burger King for the area are also set to open at the site next month.
TK Maxx aims to open its new branch at the park on August 20.
The Sofa Works store is the firm's biggest in the UK with a floorspace of 26,000 sq ft. It is also the company's 32nd store. It creates 15 new full and part time jobs.
Store manager Shehzad Ahmed, started with the company last June, said the opening was a success.
He said: "We had a very successful launch day.
"We had a DJ in the store, face painting, drinks and cupcakes for our first customers.
"We have only recruited locally, with all our staff from the Cannock area.
"Once the builders had completed our team was here to set up the store.
"It is exciting to be the first store on the site to be up and running, the retail park is superb, it is very well designed."
He added: "I am very proud of the team and our new store, we would like to welcome all our customers."
The store is open seven days a week on the site. It was built by Hortons' Estate Developments.
Work began on the retail park began nine months ago and development firm chief executive Tony Green said that construction of the site had progressed well earlier this month.
In total, it is expected the site will create around 100 jobs.
Shop signage has been installed and can clearly be seen by passing motorists on the A460.
It is the latest development for the town, with a a new Marks & Spencer food store opening in the former Comet store on the nearby Orbital Retail Park later this year and a designer outlet planned at Mill Green.
