The U.K.’s largest rental company, Speedy Hire, has opened a new superstore in Wolverhampton, West Midlands. Speedy also recently opened other superstores, in Stoke, also in West Midlands, and Edinburgh.
The superstore is an 11,000-square-foot facility, and has created 15 jobs from the area. The superstore will house more than £1 million worth of equipment, including small tools, lifting and surveying equipment and light construction. U.K. soccer star Steve Bull of the Wolverhampton Wanders attended the opening, signing free footballs and offering a signed Wanderers shirt as a prize to customers.
Speedy plans to open more than 30 superstores across the U.K. by 2012. The stores will complement its more traditional 325 rental centers, and will carry a wider range of equipment. The superstores will also offer contractors advice on health and safety legislation, environmental issues and equipment training.
“The new superstore is in a prime location that will give immediate access to a large range of equipment to local contractors and other customers from across the region,” said Carl Guest, general manager of the Wolverhampton superstore. “There are also several key industries located in the West Midlands, such as engineering, which will be better supported by our new store and the wide range of equipment and services on offer.”
Speedy Hire is based in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, U.K.