News RSS Feed


Range store to open in York

10:21am Friday 1st December 2006

comment Comments (23)   Have your say »


ALMOST 200 jobs are being created with the opening of a massive new store in York next week.

The Range - claimed to be "England's answer to IKEA" - stands on the site of the former Asda store at Huntington, which has lain empty for the past five years.

But managing director Chris Dawson said at 150,000 square ft, the home and leisure store is more than double the size of the 61,000 square ft old supermarket.

He warned today that its opening on Saturday December 9 might generate traffic congestion in the area, as customers flocked to visit.

"When we opened a store at Bournemouth last week, the traffic jams were so big the police helicopter had to be called out," he said.

"We are expecting people to travel up to 100 miles to get to the store, from as far away as Middlesbrough, Hull and Bridlington."

He said more than 100 people had tried to walk into the store, thinking it had already opened, and this had generated health and safety concerns.

"We even had someone trying to come in with a pushchair," he said.

"We have had to take on extra security staff to ensure no one comes in before we open. We are pleased people want to come in, but would ask them to wait until we are open."

Mr Dawson said the store was creating 180 jobs, three-quarters of them full-time. The extra jobs come at a good time for York, after a bleak run of redundancy announcements including 645 at Nestl Rowntree, 450 at Norwich Union and more than 100 at British Sugar.

Mr Dawson said the company had invested £4.7 million in the building.

"We have built a mezzanine floor, and a big extension where there will be a garden centre selling specialist plants from all over the world.

"We will have 16 departments, selling everything including homeware, furniture, arts and crafts, camping and garden products, DIY items, textiles, lighting, rugs and pet items."

He said the Range had its roots in the markets of the southwest, where he began trading in 1980.

The company's first superstore opened in Plymouth in 1989, and had been expanding rapidly across the country in recent years. "It concentrates on the home and garden from the lifestyle angle, rather than the DIY angle, aiming to become a one-stop shop for "mid-price" home and garden products. We are England's answer to IKEA."

He thanked the employment service for providing the company with assistance in recruiting staff, and City of York Council for its help.

"Other cities ought to take a leaf out of York's book," he said.

Print article » Email to a friend »

Your Say YourYork Press

rich plain, says...
11:00am Fri 1 Dec 06

Great another big-box out-of-town retail shop. When are we going to stop getting fed this line that they will create jobs? It's been known for years that these things cause net loss of jobs as they force other shops (in this case smaller furniture shops) out of business. Check out www.localworks.org or http://www.newrules.org/retail/econimpact.html (US).

Report this post »

someone, says...
11:13am Fri 1 Dec 06

hope the stuff is half decent as driving to ikea is a pain in the arse least now i can fall out of work and into the place :)

Report this post »

johns, says...
12:22pm Fri 1 Dec 06

For me going to IKEA is the nearest thing to **** on earth. The gates of **** are about to be opened in York. Heaven preserve us.

Report this post »

johns, says...
12:23pm Fri 1 Dec 06

Where did those asterisks come from. The word is h e l l - not offensive surely.

Report this post »

annoyed, says...
1:09pm Fri 1 Dec 06

Great another big-box out-of-town retail shop.


If they were to build this in the city centre, or any other large shop. it would cause traffic mayhem. then everybody would moan about that.

Should we now not build anything new just to please everybody.

Report this post »

ANNMARIE, says...
2:47pm Fri 1 Dec 06

I live very near this new store and take my son to work at Asda on a Sunday morning....hope I won't get stuck in the traffic or he'll have to walk and I'll have to stay in bed!!!

Report this post »

David, says...
4:19pm Fri 1 Dec 06

If you live very near this store, and if your son lives with you, then why doesnt he just walk????

Report this post »

Tonyone, says...
9:01pm Fri 1 Dec 06

I live just off Jockey Lane and am concerned about driving out into the traffic when "The Range" opens for business. It is a long winded operation now. We need a mini roundabout.

Report this post »

Charis, says...
5:56pm Sun 3 Dec 06

Brilliant, Ikea is a real trial getting there and back with yr marbles intact!!! I cant wait to shop here.

Report this post »

Louise, says...
5:20pm Mon 4 Dec 06

Don't worry guys, it'll be great! We had The Range open in Bournemouth a few weeks ago and I love it already. Just as good as Ikea and doesn't take over 2 hours to get there. And the traffic's calming down a bit now, as well! :)

Report this post »

Ellie, says...
8:59am Tue 5 Dec 06

I live near The Range in Nottingham and it is fantastic - especially for me as I'm an Arts student. The Arts & Crafts department is huge. I'm sure the people of York will love it.

Report this post »

Holly Firth-Davies, says...
10:35am Tue 5 Dec 06

Missed the jobs being advertised! Not for me - but for someone close with oodles of experience... Any vacancies still? Live in Huntington... Really looking forward to Saturday!

Report this post »

Gemma, says...
3:08pm Tue 5 Dec 06

I can't wait for The Range to open. I used to live in Kidderminster and moved to York last year and could have done with having The Range close by when decorating my new home. With a great selection of furniture and accessories it would have made my life a lot easier! I will definately be at Saturdays opening!

Report this post »

Diane, says...
7:15pm Tue 5 Dec 06

I would rather travel out of town I live 7miles from Leeds City Centre try to find a parking space and follow the loop no chance give me Ikea or the Range any day been to the Leeds Range few times only problem I've found is finding the place could do with better road signs

Report this post »

Alfred, says...
9:12am Wed 6 Dec 06

I am a keen gardner and the The Range in Andover where I live is great for gardening materials. Looking at the York store and whats going to be there, its going to be even better than Andover!

Report this post »

jim, says...
6:07pm Wed 6 Dec 06

theres alot for you all to look forward to, the companies current biggest store (kidderminster) employs about 100 members of staff, but york wiil be much larger with nearly 200. the store will have 2 floors with trolley esculators. and the flooring in the pet section will have animated fish swimming

Report this post »

Diane, says...
9:13am Fri 8 Dec 06

Just like to wish my little sis Carol well in her new job at the Range hope all goes well for opening on Saturday, dont spend all your wages, love big Sis in New Zealand xx

Report this post »

lisa, says...
12:10pm Fri 8 Dec 06

I have to say my partner has been up in York putting this store together and i used to work for the company also. Alot of hard work has gone into making this the best range store yet and i hope it is well recieved. Very proud of all your hard work chris xxx

Report this post »

Phil, says...
7:24pm Fri 8 Dec 06

I've been to the store in Hull and I must say, I wouldn't quite compare it to IKEA? Since when does IKEA sell pet food and stationary? And I certainly hope the staff are more friendly and willing to help!

Report this post »

Stan, says...
1:57pm Sat 9 Dec 06

I work at the head office in Plymouth and I think I can say for everyone that a lot of work has gone into making York our biggest and best store so I hope you all enjoy it.

Report this post »

Chris, says...
3:58pm Mon 11 Dec 06

Hi,
I work in the Kidderminster Branch. These new buildings look pretty cool. Do go to these stores, but i personally think the Kidderminster one is the best. I'm not buiest obviously!lol

Report this post »

Chris, says...
4:05pm Mon 11 Dec 06

Hello again,

I would also like to use this oppertunity to let everyone know that next January 2007, the Kidderminster branch is actually displaying the art works of some partially sighted people from Worcester Association for the blind. Here you will see the many techniques put into practice using various different mediums! ITS ALL EXCITING STUFF, AND I'D LIKE THE PEOPLE FROM THE CENTRE TO SEE THAT IT HAS GENERATED A LOT OF INTEREST AND BE PROUD OF WHAT THEY HAVE ACHIEVED! SO PLEASE COME ALLONG & VIEW FOR YOURSELVES THESE FANTASTIC PIECES!!

Report this post »

Paul, says...
2:07pm Wed 13 Dec 06

I visited The Range Coventry. I can sum up in two words what my first impressiom of the range was and that is expensive tat.

Report this post »

Comments are closed on this article.

The new Range store at Huntington, York Interior will be similar to those pictured at its sister stores Interior will be similar to those pictured at its sister stores

The new Range store at Huntington, York

Interior will be similar to those pictured at its sister stores

Interior will be similar to those pictured at its sister stores



In this section

Essential Links

Sponsored Links






Local Advertisers


Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »