Home and garden superstore The Range is coming to Neath and is expected to be opening in the former Wilko unit in Neath town centre. The company, which was founded more than 30 years ago in Plymouth, Devon and now has more than 200 shops in the UK, currently has 14 stores in Wales including in Swansea, Llanelli, Carmarthen and Bridgend - but this will be the brand's first in Neath Port Talbot.
Earlier this month, Neath Port Talbot Council said it was in "detailed discussions" with the firm over the possibility of taking on the Water Street premises, located a stone's throw away from Neath's new library and leisure centre - and eagle-eyed locals have now spotted online job adverts for its upcoming Neath store.
Jobs site Indeed.com currently has multiple listings for jobs at 'The Range Neath,' including for a Store Operations Manager, Assistant Manager, Retail Assistant, Warehouse Assistant, Cleaning Assistant and Operations Assistant roles. The jobs are also listed on The Range's website, and the closing date for applications is Monday, November 13 2023. For the latest Neath Port Talbot news, sign up to our newsletter here
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The description for the Store Operations Manager role explains: "As a result of our expansion plans and our continued ongoing success we are seeking a Store Operations Manager. In this role you will be a key member of the store senior management team and will report to the Store Manager.
"To be successful in this role you will be a dedicated and experienced Store Operations Manager. You will lead by example and inspire our retail colleagues to maximise sales and deliver excellent customer service. You will be responsible for the following: company policies and procedures, accuracy of company documentation, reconciliation and banking of all store revenues, Trading Standards compliance checks, store email system usage, production of point of sale/price indicators, booking on of incoming/outgoing stock, processing of damaged (demics) stock, issuing and inputting stock inventory counts, issuing and inputting inter-store transfers, ensuring store compliance with company deadlines, processing customer orders, new starter induction, new starter reference checks, payroll procedures, adherence to cash office procedures.
"Applicants must have the relevant experience within a retail environment. In return, we offer a great salary, along with additional benefits and the opportunity to progress within an ever-growing business." You can read more about this job advert here.
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Discount chain Wilko went into administration in August and many stores immediately began selling-off their wares - but there was hope some branches would be saved via a lucrative deal with HMV, but this plan fell through last month. Fortunately, 70 Wilko stores across the UK, including four in Wales, have now been bought by Poundland and will soon be rebranded, whilst it's hoped other empty former Wilko units will be filled by other shops.
Earlier this month, leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, councillor Steve Hunt said: "We are delighted to hear our officers are now in negotiations with the owners of the Range over the lease of the former Wilko store in the centre of Neath. Coming so soon after the closure of this flagship store and at a time when high streets across the UK are struggling this is very encouraging news."
Neath Port Talbot Council is also in discussion with a company which runs soft play areas for children and it's hoped a play area could open in the vacant Unit 2 in the new leisure centre development, next to the Wilko/The Range unit.
