Furniture Warehouse explains why it is taking over the former Beales store in Spalding

New life will be breathed into one of the town’s prominent empty shops when a furniture store takes over the building next month.

The Furniture Warehouse will be creating up to five new jobs when it opens in the former Beales store in Bridge Street, Spalding, on Saturday, March 2.

Bedroom, living room and dining room furniture will be spread over both the ground and first floor of the shop, which has been closed for nearly four years.

The other part of Beales, in Market Place, is now home to The Original Factory Shop.

The introduction of a new business into one of the larger vacant units is great news for Spalding and there is also hope that the empty Hills site could also be filled but the town has been dealt bodyblows with the loss of Hughes recently. The Halifax and Barclays branches are also due to be shutting shortly.

The Furniture Warehouse will be relocating its existing branch in Market Deeping into the larger new Spalding site. Its final trading day will be Tuesday, March 12.

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Sales director Alex Raspin said: “We are looking forward to opening the shop and it would be great if people would come to support us.

“The way our business works is we take frequent deliveries so the shop floor changes. We have one-off pieces so it is not the place that people go to every couple of years as it is changing frequently.

“We have built up a good relationship with people in Deeping as a few do come in for a cup of tea and a chat.

“I am gutted to be leaving Deeping as it is my favourite store. I really like the location and the way it is laid out. I am disappointed to be leaving but it is a big opportunity for us.”

The Furniture Warehouse has branches in Peterborough, Wisbech and Corby – and has taken on a number of former Beales stores.

Workmen have been seen within in the Bridge Street store in recent days and the doors have been ajar – which had prompted hopes that the building has been finally let after Beales closed its doors for the final time in March 2020.

Mr Raspin said: “The building is sizable and perfect for a furniture shop. The location is also perfect and has everything that we want.”

The news has been welcomed by ward member and deputy leader of South Holland District Council, Gary Taylor.

Coun Taylor, whose portfolio includes Spalding town improvement, said: “It is excellent news and very good to hear.

“It is an expanding business and new jobs will be created. It is good news and I hope that local people will use it and become customers.”

Last week it was announced that prominent businessman Robin Hancox has been appointed to lead the Spalding Town Board, which will have the responsibility to spend the £20million Levelling Up money provided by the Government over the next decade.

Spalding Business Board was also created last year as the town considers creating a Business Improvement District. Shops and businesses would be asked to pay a levy

to fund developments in the town centre if the proposal comes to fruition.

The Lighthouse Pentecostal Church has submitted plans to convert the former Hills Department Store, in Broad Street, into a cafe, play space, offices, church, community meeting place and food bank.

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