THE co-founder of value retailer Poundworld will share his success story at a business conference in West Yorkshire.
Chris Edwards (pictured), who joined the family business when it was a market stall owned by his parents, opened his first store in 1975 in Wakefield after his personal bank loaned him £2,500 to build a new shop front on a vacant store.
Since then, managing director Chris and marketing director Martyn Birks, who was brought up in Huddersfield, have created a major chain which lifted sales by 55% to £206m last year – during which it launched 52 stores, including its 200th outlet in August.
The company is now eyeing another 150 stores. It has also hopped across to Ireland, opening six stores.
Despite its success, Chris isn’t resting on his laurels. “There’s no sitting back,” he says. “I still see 4,000-plus staff waiting for their wages, landlords waiting for their rent and a massive commitment. I know I have got to be on it 24/7 so I can keep everybody happy.”
Chris, who went back to the tills alongside Martyn in TV’s Undercover Boss, is among the speakers at the Wakefield Business Conference, which takes place on Wednesday, March 20, as part of Wakefield Business Week.
The full day of events, which is free to delegates, is organised by Birstall-based Hillrich Ltd and includes seminars, a business clinic, networking opportunities and an exhibition with almost 50 local suppliers. Go to www.wakefield businessconference.co.uk
