Axminster Tools & Machinery has opened a new store in Basingstoke - the company's sixth.
Situated on Winchester Road in the town, the outlet has 7,700sq ft of retail space, and, recognising that many customers find it convenient to shop on a Sunday, is the first of the Axminster stores to open seven days a week - in line with most other retail outlets in the area.

It is also the first store to display the new company signage and trade under the name of Axminster Tools & Machinery.

The store stocks a host of popular lines and brands, and it is possible to order in-store anything from the Axminster Tools & Machinery catalogue.

Axminster's retail development director Darran McLeod said: "Whilst this new store may be smaller than some of the other branches, we're introducing a new format, with improved layout and different merchandising techniques, which will enhance the product and provide the customer with more information."

The new Basingstoke joins Axminster's other outlets in Axminster (Devon), Sittingbourne (Kent), High Wycombe, Nuneaton and Warrington.

When choosing the site for the new store, the company looked at more than 20 other premises in the south of England. But, said Mr McLeod: "The potential of the Basingstoke site soon became apparent. It provides a store that will enable products to be displayed effectively and is in a highly populated area with a solid infrastructure, making the store easily accessible for not only the people of Basingstoke, but also the surrounding areas."