One of Southport’s oldest family businesses is enjoying welcoming customers to its newest venture in town.
Molloys Furnishers is the third oldest business in Southport, earning a reputation as an established furniture supplier since 1932.
The firm, which has stores in Southport in Lytham, is delighted to now occupy the second floor of the new Beales department store.
The new shopping emporium officially opened on Lord Street on Thursday as hundreds of shoppers queued outside.
Molloys Furnishers Director Tony Molloy said: “We are so excited to be a part of this new venture.
“We have filled the showroom with brand new products some of which aren’t in any other stores in the UK yet.
“It is such an amazing sight to see Beales bustling again.
“We love the new concept of giving local businesses the opportunity that would usually pass them by. Good luck to all involved and get involved, Southport!”
Today Molloys Furnishers has its fourth generation working within the company to continue the fantastic work which began nearly a century ago.
Originally the first furniture shop was opened in Southport where the firm had a lot of success, but the owners wanted to expand further to Lytham to allow them to cover more of the North West. Molloys Furnishers prides itself on the excellent service and value given by the Molloy family and their staff.
Tony Molloy said: “Being a family-run business for so long shows just how much we care about the furniture shops we run. Supplying the best furniture possible throughout Southport and Lytham is top priority on our list and we fulfil this by offering nothing less than brand new, well priced and British made home furniture.
“We are the third oldest family business still operating in Southport. We have been here for a long time!
“Opening in the new Beales department store was an ideal opportunity for us.
“We can offer customers a great family service.
“We offer top quality British furniture. All of the furniture we have on display here in Beales has been made here in the UK.”
The official opening of Beales on Thursday made headlines around the UK, with coverage on Good Morning Britain, Granada Reports, BBC North West and elsewhere.
Following on from the ‘boulevard of light’ on Lord Street which was completed by Southport BID and IllumiDex in March and the opening of the new Southport Market food, drink and events venue in July, there are hopes that visitors across the country will take notice of what is happening here.
Tony Molloy said: “We are seeing real signs of regeneration in Southport.
“When the plans for the old Grand Casino take off, and the work is converting the former BHS site on Chapel Street are complete, Southport will really take off as a great destination for shopping.
“We have lost out too much to Liverpool ONE and the Trafford Centre in the past few years. We are fighting back.
“When the new Southport Events Centre is built too, that is going to make a real difference.
“As a Sandgrounder, I have seen the highs and lows in Southport over the years, but hopefully the new Beales department store opening is hopefully the first step towards getting where we really want to be.”
Beales owners were overwhelmed by the response as shoppers spoke of how delighted they were to see a big department store opening in the town again on Thursday. The building had been home to a department store for the past 132 years, with the building carrying signs saying ‘Beales, formerly Broadbents & Boothroyds’.
Shoppers have enjoyed walking in to look around the three floors of retail, with ladies and mens fashions, furniture, electrical goods, bedroom furnishings, shoes, accessories, gifts, greetings cards, baby clothes, and much more besides.
Beales CEO Tony Brown said: “We are absolutely over the moon with how the official opening has gone!
“This is one of the busiest store openings we have ever seen.
“It is going to be down to the old adage now – use it or lose it. I hope people will come and shop in the new Beales, and support all the local businesses we have in here.
“We are very, very excited. We were delighted to see the big queue outside when we opened, and we enjoyed being able to invite customers back in again.”
Customers however will see lots of changes in the new Beales. This time the store is hosting a number of local businesses which have opened concessions, including: Lucy Lou’s Boutique, Plaza Cards, Molloys Furnishers, Baby Love, In-Time, Miss Attire, Naked Peak and others, in addition to well-known national and international brands including: Forever New, Jack & Jones, Craghoppers, Carabou, Shuropody, and many more.
The new ‘Remedy at Beales’ café is due to open in a few days’ time.
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