NISA BURY ROAD, BOLTON

COVER STORY: STORE PROFILE

IF YOU’RE NOT FAST...

A NEW NISA LOCAL IN BOLTON SAW A FULL REFIT COMPLETED IN JUST 10 DAYS FROMRECEIVING THE KEYS.

Speed is of the essence these days as the coronavirus fuelled boom in local retailing persists – and a new store that’s recently opened in Bolton took that to extremes by completing a full refit in just 10 days after being handed the keys.

The new Nisa Local on Bury Road in the city was transformed from a tired, traditional local shop into a contemporary and welcoming store with an extensive new food-to-go offer, an increased fresh produce range and a dining-in area.

The 3,000sq ft store sits on a main road in a built-up location and benefits from both regular foot traffic as well as a transient market which is helped by the 13 car parking spaces at the front of the premises.

Despite the fast turnaround, the refit wasn’t simply a cosmetic touch up. The store was stripped back to an empty shell with only the flooring left in place. Ceilings, lighting, chillers and shelving were removed, and new fixtures and fittings installed to give the store a warm and modern look and feel.

Working with Jordan’s shop fitters and supported by the Nisa team, the refit was successfully completed in time for a soft launch of the store just 10 days after work began.

The range was also given a complete overhaul with the space given to grocery, magazines and sweets significantly reduced to create room for the bank of new food-togo services including Tango Ice Blast, f ’real, Rollover hotdogs, Chicago Town pizzas and a fresh orange juicer.

Along with the machines, the store offers a solution for both hot breakfast and lunchtime meals with plans underway to add in an evening meal solution such as rice and curry; a sitin option will be available once Covid restrictions are removed.

Store manager Michael Atherden said: “It looks fantastic now and the changes have made a massive difference. Our regular shoppers absolutely love it and are amazed when they first come in.

“All the new food-to-go options have been a real draw and we now have got a whole new set of customers, with schoolchildren coming in on their way home to buy the Tango Ice Blast and f ’real.”

Shoppers are also making the most of the improved range with many buying their full weekly shop and at least 70% using baskets on their visits.

“Weekly sales are strong, and we expect them to keep growing as we continue to tweak the range and respond to what our customers want,” added Michael.