Furniture chain Leekes has agreed the terms of purchase to relocate its Bedworth store to a former Makro site on the Gallagher Business Park in Coventry.
The move will substantially increase the retail space available, allowing the company to offer the full department store range seen in other Leekes stores.

The retailer plans to install kitchen, bathroom and conservatory studios, as well as increase its range of sofas, dining and bedroom furniture at the 130,000sq ft store, which also has ample space for parking.

A wide range of accessories, home textiles, gifts and an interior design studio will also be added.

Leekes managing director Emma Leeke said: "This is potentially a very exciting development for our business in Warwickshire. Whilst our existing site at Bedworth is in a very good town centre location, the size of the store limits the breadth of product we can offer. The former Makro site is opposite a landmark in the area, the Ricoh arena on the A444 dual carriageway close to Junction 3 of the M6, so the new location will be ideal for our new store."

Leekes acquired the Bedworth store as part of the purchase of Cole's Home Furnishers Group in November 2009. All of Cole's staff have remained with the store and would relocate to the new store, with 100 additional staff and self-employed contractors to be recruited.

Consultation boards detailing the proposed relocation are now displayed at Leekes' Bedworth store, enabling local residents and other interested parties to familiarise themselves with the plans and leave feedback with staff at the store.

Leekes is currently in discussion with several parties interested in the existing Bedworth store, and says it is working with the council to move the relocation forward.