THE search is on for a junior bargain-hunter to officially open Bishop’s Stortford’s new 99p Stores branch.
The lucky youngster, aged from 5 to 16, will also get the chance to take part in a 99-second trolley dash – and keep everything they bag during the “trawl and haul” at the new low-cost shop in the former Sainsbury’s supermarket in South Street.
If the child beats the current top total of 265 items snatched, store boss Hussein Lalani has promised to double the reward.
Mr Lalani is promising “jaw-dropping” offers when his outlet opens in the week commencing Monday, August 22. He had set Tuesday, August 23 as the first day of trading, but is now anticipating a delay of “two to three days, but definitely no more”.
He said the opening in Stortford of his 149th shop would coincide with the creation of a 5,000th job for his chain as up to 35 posts are on offer.
The arrival of 99p Stores has promoted some criticism from town residents, who have posted on the Observer’s website that the brand is too downmarket, but Mr Lalani said: “We researched a lot of new areas and Bishop’s Stortford came out well ahead of a lot of other regions because we have discovered the town’s people know a bargain when they see one and expect value.
“We are delighted to be opening up in the town. In the early stages of our evolution and revolution, some shoppers' heads were down as they came in and out of branches. Now it's very much heads held high.
Young trolley dash entrants should email 99p@6starpr.co.uk. The closing date is midnight on Sunday, August 21.
