Derbyshire DIY and garden store Masseys is now just months away from moving into purpose-built new premises, which will see the business almost triple in size.
The family-run retailer, which was established in 1947, currently has its main outlet in Swadlincote Road, Woodville, plus Masseys Cookshop in Swadlincote High Street.

But two years after applying for planning permission to expand, the business has the completion of its brand new store in its sights.

On the site of an old factory, which was demolished 18 months ago, it is just 400 yards down the road from the current Woodville outlet. Building started at the beginning of the summer and Masseys hopes to open for business next February. Both of its existing shops will close once the new one is operational.

The project will cost in the region of £2m, but manager Andrew Massey told diyweek.net: "We're building it for less than half the price of about five years ago because of the current situation in the building trade - people are desperate for the work. And we bought the land for £400,000. So although we're going through a tough economic time, we're confident in our business and we thought we could see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Mr Massey says the move into the 28,000sq ft premises will give the business virtually three times more space.

"Our current premises is a bit of a nightmare, with 20,000 lines stuffed into 11,000sq ft," he admitted. Now, he is looking forward to: "More space, more stock, better display of stock, and we think we're going to increase sales dramatically."

He said as a result of the move Masseys will be going into new product categories. However, he declined to go into detail, saying only: "Yes, there's all sorts of things we're looking at. And we've got a gradual five-year plan on expansion of new stock to keep an eye on cash flow.

"We're putting in a cafe as well. We're hoping it'll bring in the browsing public as well as the people doing the DIY jobs."

The new store will be staffed by existing employees, but Mr Massey added that the business will probably also have to take on more.