Last updated at 18:08, Sunday, 08 November 2009

A FORMER Allied Carpets manager is to open a new carpet store in Barrow.

The Walney Road store closed earlier this year when the national chain went into administration.

Alan McGerty – the then Allied Carpets manager – has now recruited a handful of his former staff for a new venture at the former Stokers car showroom.

He says they have had time to regroup and will shortly be re-opening as All Carpets and Flooring in Dalkeith Street.

Mr McGerty said: “It gives people a bit of inspiration to go out and do something new or change direction.

“This is especially so in these gloomy economic times when all the news is depressing.”

The 38-year-old Barrow man had been with the Allied chain for 20 years, working his way up from warehouseman to managing the Barrow store for the last five years.

The branch was one of 161 that closed after Allied Carpets went into administration in June with the loss of 1,800 jobs.

Mr McGerty said: “Barrow was always a profitable store. The sales were consistently good even though Allied as a company wasn’t profitable.

“When Allied closed they really left a hole in the carpet retail market and we’re delighted to be able to plug that gap.

“We have a new prime location, and are confident that the customers will see a real improvement.”

The father-of-two has gained financial backing to open the store and is excited about the opportunity he and his team have.

Mr McGerty adds: “I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do it without the backing of my staff.

“Their experience, as far as knowing carpets and understanding excellent standards of service, is just unbeatable.

“The staff have in excess of 70 years’ carpet experience. My father Tom has more than 30 years’ experience with Allied and will be joining me in the new shop.

“They are all just really pleased to be able to get back into their job as there aren’t many jobs in retail out there.”

A spokesman for Allied Carpets was not available to comment on the empty building in Walney Road.

First published at 10:42, Saturday, 07 November 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk