Book seller Borders has announced plans to open superstores in three market towns, and develop two further stores in Cardiff.
Newbury, Southampton and Milton Keynes will all get their first Borders stores, while the Cardiff openings include a flagship city store.
At least 130,000 sq ft of retail space is required for the expansion, adding to more than 1m sq ft already occupied by Borders UK.
The announcement, at the London Book fair, comes three weeks after the opening of its latest superstore in Gateshead.
Retail director Philip Downer said: “After a year of intensive development, with nine superstores in ten months, we are still focused on bringing our unique book and entertainment concept to every part of the UK,”
“We are building on our proven customer satisfaction in Wales and the South of England, including for the first time successful market towns like Newbury, as well as strengthening the midlands by opening in Milton Keynes.”
Borders will open a 22,000 sq ft store in Talbot Green Retail Park at Llantrisant this summer, with the 26,000 sq ft Cardiff flagship store, in the former David Morgan department store, opening in December.
Plans for Newbury include a 20,000 sq ft store in Newbury Retail Park, just south of the town on the A303, while Southampton will get a 22,000 sq ft store in West Quay Retail Park.
The Milton Keynes superstore, developed from a former Mercedes dealership, will be situated on the roundabouts, adjacent to the National Hockey Stadium and an established retail park.
Churston Heard and Reid Rose Gregory were agents for Borders.
References: EGi News 08/03/06
