Final preparations being made for opening of new Melton Sports Direct store
Final preparations are being made for the opening of a new Melton Mowbray town centre sports shop.
Sports Direct, which is part of a national chain, is to occupy the former Poundland budget store in Nottingham Street after the unit has been vacant since December.
A member of staff told the Melton Times that staff have been taking delivery of stock and the shop will open either this afternoon (Thursday) or tomorrow.
This is one of the key shop spaces in the town centre and it was traded from for many years by Wilko until October 2023 when administrators were called into the chain business.
Sports Direct joins Melton’s established Melton Sports shop, which has established a strong reputation since being opened by Michael Cooke on King Street.
Melton Sports provides uniforms for Scouts and Guides, kits for Melton Rugby Club, Stilton Striders and Melton Swimming Club and is also a teamwear supplier for other clubs.
Staff at the new Sports Direct will be linked in with Melton BID’s SMART phone network and they will also wear body cameras.
James Colclough, manager of Melton BID, commented: “Melton BID works to improve the vitality of the businesses in Melton Mowbray and the launch of Sports Direct is a boost for Nottingham Street shopping.
"Melton is now on the radar of national retail brands and this latest addition will complement our existing independent offer from Melton Sports on King Street.”
The new Sports Direct store will open seven days a week, from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.
it is employing at least 11 staff, some from recently closed local businesses.