A big name in quality home furnishings is returning to Wrexham more than 20 years after it left the town.
Seven new jobs will be created when Listers opens a fifth store at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre at the beginning of next month in time for one of the busiest sales periods of the year.
For the family run firm, which owns four other stores in Llandudno, Shrewsbury and Chester, it will be a happy return to a town which played host to one of the company’s earliest successes.
Mark Lister, director of the company which was started by his father Mike in 1967, said: “We have always been very keen to return to Wrexham and the addition of Eagles Meadow, as a really smart and modern shopping centre, has given us the ideal location to come back to.”
Mark’s father, who is retired and now lives in South Africa, owned a large Listers store on Priory Street in the late 70s and early 80s from where he sold mainly curtains, carpets and bedding.
Mark, 39, a father-of-two from Llandudno, said: “My dad loved having a store there. He said he liked the Wrexham people because you always knew where you were with them and his shop was very popular.
“I remember Madonna printed cushion covers he had in stock and it was probably one of the biggest suppliers of carpets and curtains in North Wales at the time.
“We are a different business now, because we have branched out more into furniture, but our desire to run a friendly, family run business which provides a good quality product for a good quality price is still very much the same and I think one of the main reasons why the business continues to be successful.”
Listers offers a wide range of home items from kitchens and furniture to bed linen, tableware and gifts.
The company specialises in reclaimed oak furniture, mainly sourced from Vietnam, which Mark himself is mostly responsible for choosing.
He is in charge of the company along with his brother, Jason, sister, Claire and step brother, Mike Eratt.
Mark said: “I like to think we will be filling a gap in Wrexham and I don’t think there is any one like us in the town.
“Our customers like us because we have new items coming in all the time so some will come every week to see what is on offer.
“We don’t sell anything which is too modern or contemporary. Our style is quite rustic and shabby chic which people seem to really like.
“While most of it may not look modern, it is modern in its practicality and use for everyday life and I think that is what attracts people.”
Manager of the new Wrexham store will be Clare Hughes, who has worked at Listers’ Chester store for two years.
Clare, 38, a mother-of two, said: “I am very excited about coming to Wrexham and we have had a lot of positive feedback from customers about the new shop who remember us from Wrexham all those years ago.
“I think we will be giving the people of the town a really interesting, new store to shop in because we have some beautiful things on offer, whether you are furnishing a whole house or simply looking for a gift for someone.”
Clare said her team would also ensure Wrexham customers would receive a very high standard of customer service which stems from the fact that it is a very friendly and caring company to work for.
She said: “Every day when I get up, I look forward to going to work and even though, it is work, I really enjoy it.”
Kevin Critchley, Eagles Meadow manager, said: “Listers is a truly terrific addition to Eagles Meadow and there is some excitement growing among our shoppers for their arrival.
“It is a perfect example of our commitment to attracting new businesses which can offer something special to the town and I am glad they will be open before Christmas because I think they are going to be a great place to shop for a whole range of gifts.”
Go to www.listersinteriors.com to find out more or go to www.eagles-meadow.co.uk for more news about what is happening at Eagles Meadow.
