A NATIONAL carpet and flooring retailer is celebrating the opening of its first store in the North-East, providing up to ten new jobs in the region.

United Carpets and Beds, one of the UK’s largest carpet and bed retailers, is opening its 60th store on Portrack Lane in Stockton, with a skilled team of retail specialists. The store will showcase the latest carpet ranges and offer a training facility for the network’s current 250+ staff, plus any more additional recruits in the North.

The new store spans 12,000 sq ft and already boasts a range of brand-new product lines, exclusively stocked at United Carpets and Beds including the ‘Emperor’s Twist’ carpet, which is the first twist to offer additional ‘triple comfort’ backing, for superb comfort.

Paul Newton, operations director, announced Andy Grant, as the store manager on Portrack Lane.

He said: “Opening a store in the north is a strategic decision. Creating a destination store in Stockton will allow us to showcase our extensive product portfolio both in flooring and beds, whilst also providing a base to train staff and be the first step in extending the United Carpets and Beds brand further North.

“Customers are at the heart of all we do at United Carpets and Beds, and with our popular online offering, there has been a lot of demand to bring our physical stores to the north east of England. Many customers like to feel the luxury and comfort of our products before they purchase and take advantage of our free measuring and estimating service.”

Store manager, Andy Grant, who has experience in the flooring retail industry, said: “I’m really pleased to be working alongside a strong team at United Carpets and Beds, who all bring expertise, experience and excellent knowledge with them to the store.

“There has been a lot of interest around the opening and the local community have been really supportive. Over the course of the year we will be looking to bring on more staff members to meet demand and we look forward to welcoming our colleagues from other stores here for training.”

United Carpets Group plc is the UK’s largest franchised carpet and bed retailer. Launched in 1997, the business was family owned until 2005. With 60 stores located across the North East, North West, Midlands and South Wales, the online and high street retailer specialises in supplying carpets and rugs, laminates and vinyls alongside a range of bed brands including Silentnight, Sealy and Rest Assured.

For more information, visit www.unitedcarpetsandbeds.com.