Brand new for Noel

Noel Leeming’s new Westwood store opened its doors to Marlburians Wednesday morning with plenty of fanfare and deals galore.

Warehouse Group CEO John Journee and Noel Leeming COO Jason Bell cut the ribbon and announced the new store open, after moving out of the Blenheim CBD for the first time in 49 years.

“This store is put a lot of work in terms of the store design - compared to the old store, it’s 17% smaller with 10 per cent more range through the work that store design teams that have done in terms of the fit out”, Jason says.

“The team came down yesterday and spent time with the local staff to have a celebration last night, and it's fantastic to be able to open our latest and greatest new store in an absolutely prime position”.

The new building, built by Robinson Construction, was officially opened with more than 50 people waiting to make the most of the first day deals, free 100 coffees from Koffee Mobile, and More FM games and prize draws.

Many more shoppers came in throughout the day.

The connection between the Noel Leeming business and town is one that Warehouse Group CEO John Journee acknowledged was important for both the brand, and for himself.

“Blenheim was Noel Leeming’s second store, so it’s always had a special spot” he says.

“Personally, having regular holidays in Marlborough it’s also one I have an affinity and emotional attachment with, which is always something additional – but it also means I drop in here unannounced more than usual.

“We’ve always been so well supported by the community with us bringing affordable prices to them from early days not needing to go to the big city.

“Westwood is definitely set up for big box retailing, as when they're parking we obviously sell things that people want to put straight into their car – it’s convenient, and seems to be coming together with a good mix of tenants.

“We are sad to leave the CBD served us well so it's a little bit bittersweet, but everyone’s excited with the store we've been able to present here”.

And with the new store came plenty of work for Blenheim store manager Jonathan Cappie, who says the staff are happy to have made the move.

“It's all been great, there's been a huge amount of support from the wider business, but it’s been very tiring”, says Jonathan.

“The old store that we've been in for 22, 23 years back there was a lot older and had a fair share of problems, as older buildings do, so moving out here is amazing somewhere brand spanking new and completely modern, it’s really nice”.