Leekes has announced that it has agreed the terms of purchase to relocate its store on Leicester Road, Bedworth, to the former Makro site on the Gallagher Business Park in Coventry.

The proposed move would substantially increase the retail space available and allow Leekes to diversify its product range creating the full department store offering it is known for in other areas of the country. The consultation boards detailing the proposed relocation are now displayed at Leekes’ Bedworth store, enabling local residents and other interested parties to familiarise themselves with the potential move and to leave their feedback with staff at the store.

Emma Leeke, Managing Director of the award-winning retailer, said “This is potentially a very exciting development for our business in Warwickshire. Whilst our existing site at Bedworth is in a very good town centre location, the size of the store limits the breadth of product we can offer. The former Makro site is opposite a landmark in the area, the Ricoh arena on the A444 dual carriageway close to Junction 3 of the M6, so the new location will be ideal for our new store.”

“ The site is a 130,000 sq ft store with ample capacity for parking on a six acre site which will enable us to offer our full range covering everything for the home under one roof. We plan to install Kitchen, Bathroom and Conservatory Studios as well as increasing our ranges of sofas, dining and bedroom furniture. A wide range of accessories, home textiles, gifts and an Interior Design Studio will also be added to complete the full portfolio of products the Leekes brand offers.”

Leekes acquired the Bedworth store as part of the purchase of the Cole’s Home Furnishers Group in November 2009. All of Cole’s staff have remained with the store and would relocate to the new store once it is ready for business. Once complete, the new store would offer significant employment opportunities for the area with a recruitment drive to appoint an additional 100 staff and self employed contractors.

Douglas McCord, Store Manager of the Leekes of Bedworth site, commented, “Since Leekes bought Cole’s, there has been a lot of exciting improvements in our store – but this is the best news yet. It’s a fantastic opportunity to expand the business and I know our customers will be delighted with the greater range and choice of products and brands the new store will offer them.”

Leekes are currently in discussion with several parties who are interested in the existing Bedworth store and are working closely with the council to move forward the relocation to the new site.