A new discount store has opened in the former Beales department store premises in Chipping Norton.

QD has undertaken a full refit of the 8,500 sq ft sales area and offers home, gardening, pets, clothing, furniture and groceries at discounted prices.

Mayor Georgia Mazower officially opened the shop with a ribbon cutting ceremony .

She said: “It was a pleasure to officially open the store. Everyone knows it's been a tough few years for high street retailers, so we’re delighted to welcome QD to Chipping Norton, with the 16 new jobs they have created being especially well received.”

Kerry Warren is the new store manager at QD Chipping Norton joined by assistant manager, Gary Stewart who is a former employee of Beales.

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Ms Warren said “We’re so excited to bring our excellent quality products at amazing prices to Chipping Norton. All QD stores offer a warm welcome and value guaranteed, and Chipping Norton will be no different. We are very grateful to Councillor Mazower for opening our latest store and look forward to welcoming customers as they get to know QD and enjoy shopping with us.”

In return for the Mayor’s time, QD made a donation to her chosen charity Thrive, which supports children and families in North Oxfordshire.

Chipping Norton’s Beales shop, along with all the remaining stores, closed in 2020 after KPMG, administrators of the stricken company, said they had failed to find a buyer for the shops.

The QD Group is an independent, family-owned chain of 28 high street value retail outlets first opened in Norwich in 1985.