Member Article

Hartlepool retailers expand with Barclays funding

Hartlepool-based retailers Uppal and Sons today announced expansion plans with the purchase of an adjacent site with funding from Barclays.

Uppal and Sons which trades from Warren Road, Hartlepool, started trading 33 years ago and is a convenience store offering a wide range of products to the local community.

The purchase of the adjacent building will treble the size of their retail operations enabling them to add new lines and increase existing stock levels.

Tej Uppal, Managing Owner of Uppal and Sons said: “An opportunity arose to grow the business when the building next door became vacant and with interest rates at an all-time low I decided the time was right to invest for growth and expand the retail offering we provide.

“Launching the new expanded operation is a very proud day for the family and we’re delighted that we can continue with our growth plans to serve the Hartlepool community. We are planning to increase turnover as we continue to do business with new and existing customers.”

Uppal and Sons currently employ three staff locally and they are looking to double turnover over the next two years. New lines will include lottery and newspapers and it’s anticipated that this will attract new customers to the site.

Ian Kirk, Business Banking Manager at Barclays put together the funding package for the deal and said: “It’s great to see a business investing for the future, taking advantage of low interest rates and contributing to the local economy.

“Tej operates a forward thinking family business and as a long standing business, we were delighted to be able to support his growth plans. The future looks bright for this ambitious business.”