WHEN Councillor Daniel Gallagher voted for a shopping development as a member of Preston council last year, little did he know what surprises were in store.

For less than 12 months later Coun Gallagher was manager of Poundstretcher - one of the site's main stores.

And the ironic promotion from shelf stacker to shop boss has probably raised the odd chuckle with his fellow colleagues at the Town Hall.

Coun Gallagher, who lives in Ashton, said: "I've had my own retail business before but I suppose being offered a job at the store is ironic. Who would have thought it?"

But going from the bottom to the boss was even more of a surprise: "I was at the end of my second year of a combined honours degree at the University of Central Lancashire.

"During the summer recess I got a job filling shelves and then I was offered the manager's job. It was a surprise that came like a bolt out of the blue.

"I took it straight away and it's the best decision I ever made. I can always finish my degree in the future."

Coun Gallagher added that being a successful shop manager - and Poundstretcher is certainly a booming business - helped the political side of things.

He said: "Working with the public can really open your eyes."

Poundstretcher is on the corner of Ringway and Corporation Street in Preston.

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