What’s in store for Poores

Posted On February 26, 2016
February 26, 2016

There is widespread concern in the village about what will happen to our most popular pop-in shop Poores in its transformation to housewares retail emporium Lords. CEO Shanker Patel assures us that changes will be for the better and that the future is brighter with  Lords

 

“It seems sensible to start with a revamp as we sell home improvement products!” says Shanker Patel talking about Poores’ interior, ”Our priority is to make the environment brighter, fresher, safer and bring a more pleasant shopping experience. The world moves forward and we need the shop to be relevant to today.”

Lords took over Poores back in June 2014 from Lawsons who had in turn bought it from John Poore. In doing so Lords potentially saved Chorleywood from the clutches of Tesco. For that alone they deserve our loyalty.

Over the last few months subtle adaptations have been slowly taking place in store), but there are lots more positive changes to come over the next six months, and, judging by Lords’ existing shops in town and Mr Patel’s promise, they should be welcome ones.

Lords bring with them the best of all worlds. Part of the company is an established builders’ merchants in Hayes and Park Royal, the other is an innovative housewares’ retailer in smarter parts of London

(Notting Hill, Hampstead, Battersea, Westbourne Grove St John’s Wood) and, best of all, Lords is an independent family owned business who care – about their customers and the community.

“We have one simple golden rule” says Shanker, ”We respect the person who pays us. And we believe it is important to talk to people and to react to an ever-changing customer. The Internet can bring a lot of advantages like availability, low prices and convenience but it can’t give advice. We can and our staff do.“

So what can we expect to find at Lords eventually?

A functional and well designed interior. New fittings, better lighting, new flooring. Space to move around, clear displays, less clutter and less confusion but carefully selected quality products.

“We listen. If our customers want Sanderson paints we will endeavour to stock them. We do take notice. Our branding was based on Lords of Notting Hill but we are conscious that Chorleywood would prefer Lords of Chorleywood so that is what we will be. We have dropped the Notting Hill here from our brand at considerable expense and are ordering all new artwork and promotional merchandise to reflect our new brand design.”

But what about the bargain buys Poores is famous for?

“We will still have great offers, but the pricing procedure will be different. Instead of most products being marked at £50 and dropping down to £20 they will be £20 from the start. All pricing will be at Recommended Retail Price or below. If you want to buy a kettle from Lords it will cost no more than John Lewis or other respected high street retailers. Lords is not about cheap and cheerful, it’s about quality and value.”

A key belief of Lords is investment in their team. Whilst the old manager Mark moved on to pastures new, Anthony has been given the opportunity to take over as the new manager. All of the team who have been at Poores will continue to be there even after the store refurbishment.

 

The Poores to Lords transformation will start in spring 2016 and be completed by autumn/early winter. Keep up to date with the revamp and new products in future magazine issues and on our website www.chorleywoodmagazine.co.uk

 

www.lordsofnottinghill.co.uk

www.lordsbuildersmerchants.com

 

 

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