A family-owned footwear chain is set to return to Weymouth town centre – creating seven jobs.
Pavers will open in St Mary Street on Wednesday, June 19 in central town premises previously occupied by a discount bookstore unit and before that, BrightHouse.
The premises, on the corner of St Mary Street and Bond Street, has been empty for a while.
Weymouth was formerly home to a Pavers store, also in St Mary Street (now KFC restaurant).
Brett Sharman, Area Manager at Pavers said: “We are delighted to be opening a store in Weymouth and welcoming new and loyal customers to Pavers.”
This new business venture is particularly prominent to Mr Sharman.
He added: “On a personal level this is an exciting store for me having lived and worked in Weymouth for several years previously, so I’m thrilled to be returning. We look forward to seeing everyone’s faces on opening day.”
The launch of the new store will see seven new jobs created for the local area.
Pavers, Weymouth (Image: Hollie Carr)
On the grand opening day there will be sweet treats available for visitors and throughout their first month of opening, a competition will be running where customers will have the opportunity to win free shoes for a year.
It will join an array of footwear shops in the town, including Clarks, Shoezone, JD and Rieker.
The closest Pavers currently is at Poole Quay.
Not only do Pavers sell their own labelled products, but also branded shoes including Barbour and Skechers.
Many shoppers have expressed their happiness over the news with one saying: “This is fantastic news to hear that another shop will be filled, it’s definitely better than another empty shop.”
Another added: “It’s just excellent, I love Pavers, their footwear is so comfortable.”
Many shared a hope that it would ‘bring some life back to Weymouth’s high street,’ although many were left questioning the future of the former Wilko retail unit on Westham Road.
The brand was founded in 1971 in York, by Catherine Paver, an ambitious mum who took out a £200 bank loan to fund her new business passion to find the perfect style for everyone’s feet – it is now one of the UK’s leading comfort shoe retailers.