BUSINESS is looking bright today for a Suffolk furniture retailer, despite the credit crunch.Glasswells took possession of its 73,000 sq ft new store in Ipswich yesterday, and will now spend the next four weeks filling it with stock.

BUSINESS is looking bright today for a Suffolk furniture retailer, despite the credit crunch.

Glasswells took possession of its 73,000 sq ft new store in Ipswich yesterday, and will now spend the next four weeks filling it with stock.

The firm, which also has shops in Martlesham and Bury St Edmunds, said it was optimistic the Orwell Retail Park development would be a success, despite a gloomy financial outlook nationally and worldwide.

Paul Glasswell, who bought the site in June 2007, said: “The question is going to be asked as to whether this is the right move in the current economic climate.

“But I am actually very confident.

“Of course, we've made a massive investment but we regard it as a long-term commitment.

“We will continue to do what we do and do it well.”

Mr Glasswell said he was thrilled with the new building which was completed on time by builders Barnes Construction.

The job of moving in a large amount of furniture will begin today as well as training staff.

On Saturday, December 6, the store will officially be unveiled to the public with an opening ceremony featuring martial arts, music and competitions.

Andrea Johnston, general manager of the Ranelagh Road outlet, said: “While it's been a huge task to get this store ready for opening it's been a very rewarding one.

“We've appointed more than 100 people to staff our new store.

“We now have a great team in place all of whom are looking forward to meeting our customers in Ipswich.”

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