Former Woolworths store is packed with customers on opening day
Customers, smiles and optimism were much in evidence at the opening of Nixons Home Hardware new premises in Swanage on Tuesday, 19 May - unsurprisingly, perhaps, as the shop was taking the place of a Woolworths that closed down at the beginning of the year.
The new shop on Swanage's Station Road was filled with customers following an opening ceremony conducted by David Adams, vice chairman of Home Hardware, as well as owners Derek and Julie Hancock. Mr Adams congratulated Derek and Julie on the move, saying: "For Home Hardware members to take the plunge and take over a main high street store like this one is a credit to their enthusiasm for their business and their commitment to Home Hardware."
Owner Derek Hancock said of the opening: "We're delighted at the moment...it's been a lot of hard work."
For the last couple of years Derek and his wife Julie had been looking for larger premises or even split units - one for hardware, one for housewares. With the demise of Woolworths, the estate agent got in touch asking us if we wanted to take over the site. It was perfect for us."
The former Woolworths unit, vacant since the chain went bust at the end of 2008, is three times the size of the current store, making it exactly what Nixon's was looking for. Nixon's business has seen an improvement since Woolworths closed.
Given the size of the new premises, Nixons has already taken on one new part-time staff member and is looking for another two. Existing staff have already agreed to take on additional hours, while Mr and Mrs Hancock will be joined over the summer by their niece as additional cover.
The new shop also has a new name, becoming Nixon's Home Hardware to reflect its status as a corporate member of dealer-owned buying group Home Hardware Southwest. Promoting the shop in a professional way is essential if we want to compete against the larger players in the market' said Derek Hancock "Joining Home Hardware has enabled us to retain our independence whilst benefiting from belonging to a large group.
"We have been members of Home Hardware for nine years. We always felt that should we move premises, the way forward would be to become a corporate member.