The four carpeteers!

LANEBOTTOM Co-op at Ogden, which had almost legendary retail status among shoppers in this area, has been recreated at Carpet Creations in Milnrow.

Four former managers from the village store, which closed its doors for the last time in June last year, now work at the carpets and bed centre owned by Philip Holt.

Mr Holt, who started in business 12 years ago on being made redundant by the Co-op, has invested £650,000 to open a new store in the former Costcutter convenience premises just a few doors down from his original site in Dale Street.

Target

He tried to buy Lanebottom Co-op, and its years of tradition, but was unsuccessful though he has never looked back since opening Carpet Creations in 1996 and is on target for a £1.1 million turnover this year.

Mr Holt, (44), from Ogden, who has taken over a number of former Lanebottom employees, said: “A customer came in just last week and said we were Lanebottom Co-op in all but name.

“I know what he meant —we offer good value for money and a great customer service ethic and that is why we have been successful.”

He has his bother, David, also from Ogden, as his deliveries manager, Simon Thompson, from Royton, as carpet manager, and has recruited Cedric Thompson, from Newhey, to run the new beds department. All are ex-Lanebottom Co-op.

The move into new premises was driven by customer demand, explains Mr Holt, who is confident that move into beds will add around £250,000 to turnover this year.

He says: “Beds complement the carpets and floorcoverings which which we have sold from day one. We are approved Karndean and Amico dealers and that status isn’t easy to achieve, but we pride ourselves on product knowledge.”

At present carpets and floorcoverings account for 90 per cent of turnover but Mr Holt confidently expects the beds department to grow significantly now he has established his business in the 4,000 sq feet store.

“This has been a significant investment for the business, but the customers are more than happy with our new situation — we have much more room and many more displays and so far the move has been extremely positive,” he added.

Mr Holt still has regrets that he wasn’t able to secure the old Lanebottom Co-op business, and so maintain a 150-year trading tradition, but in Milnrow he is well on the way to creating a new retail dynasty.