New branch of national chain to open first Hartlepool shop after 'six figure' investment

One Below, which sells everything at £1 or under, will open in the former Poundworld site at Teesbay Retail Park, on Brenda Road, on Wednesday, November 25.

The operators say they have invested a six-figure sum, in the new Hartlepool site and bucks the declining trend of other high street retailers.

Christopher Edwards, 37, managing director of One Below Retail Limited, said: “We’re delighted to be opening a new store in Hartlepool. We are the only store on the high street to sell over 5,000 items for £1 or even less.

“Now more than ever, when times are financially tighter for so many families, we are proud to be offering incredible savings on hundreds of shopping essentials and big brand items.

“It’s great to be able to breathe fresh new life into the empty store.”

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One Below also has stores in Middlesbrough, Redcar, Newcastle and South Shields, and plans to open five more stores in the North East in the next year creating 150 jobs.

The business was created by Yorkshire father and son businessmen Christopher Edwards and Christopher Edwards Senior who also founded Poundworld Retail.

They sold Poundworld to American private equity conglomerate TPG Capital in 2014 but the business went into administration in June 2018.

One Below say many of the former local Poundworld staff who lost their jobs when it went are said to have been given new employment at the new Hartlepool store.

It will sell thousands of items across 10 departments including cleaning, groceries, home, pet care, health and beauty, baby care, toys, and DIY.

The operators say the Hartlepool store will implement recommended social distancing and hygiene measures to protect against Covid when it opens from Monday morning.

Since its launch 18 months ago, the independent retailer has opened over 60 stores across the UK.

One Below joins retailers at Teesbay Retail Park including Iceland, B&M, The Range, Home Bargains, Starbucks and Burger King.

Supermarket Aldi is due to move into a new larger store on the other side of Brenda Road soon.

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