A NATIONAL retail giant announced another unique product after being named Retailer of the Year!
The Original Factory Shop, based in Billington Road, Burnley, made headlines earlier this month after unveiling the ‘twinsie’ - a onesie for two people.
And speaking after winning a trophy and bottle of champagne at the glittering ceremony, where the company was recognised for its work across the country, area manager Darrel Treece-Birch said: “We have a ‘fivesie’ on the go, One Direction style.”
Regional manager for the north, Shane Goodwin added: “We are announcing it as the twinsie but with a little extra in the offing.
“We were modelling it on Friday.”
Established in 1969 by retail magnate Peter Black as an outlet for surplus Marks and Spencers stock, there are now more than 185 stores across the UK, and the company has a turnover of £162million.
The firm’s apprenticeship scheme has helped kickstart the career of 14 apprentices since 2011, and helped it win the honour of ‘Employer of the Year’ from Blackburn training provider Training 2000.
On top of this, it has helped raise more than £300,000 for hundreds of good causes across the UK with its ‘Make a Difference in Your Community’ campaign, launched in 2010.
The two managers were delighted at winning the Retailer of the Year award, which was presented by Lancashire Telegraph and Citizen Group advertising manager, Ava Makepeace.
Mr Treece-Birch said: “It was one big team effort to get where we have and it’s been a good journey.
“We have been giving back to the community. We offer a lot for the local stores up and down the country.
“We have also got a lot of local sponsorship deals with charities, so as well as providing a resource we do an awful lot of charity work in the community.”
Mr Goodwin added: “Burnley is a central hub and it spiders out from here. Our next step is to provide the local high street with a convenience type store. We do want to grow to more than 600 stores. Our aim is to give the customer what they want.”
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