FAMILY firm Frank the Flooring Store has opened its latest store, after experiencing the busiest trading period in its near 25-year history.

Last month the company opened its 28th store in Houghton-le-Spring.

This followed a record month of sales after its other stores reopened to the public on June 15 following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions on non-essential retailers.

It has invested £25,000 renovating and extending a derelict shop unit on Newbottle Street and created two new jobs.

Business development manager, Mick Copeland, said: “We’re hopeful that it will be as successful as other town centre stores which make an important contribution to the local retail economy.”

Store manager Robert Ward, who started as a flooring apprentice, said: “We have every confidence that Houghton-le-Spring will be popular with local people.

“It’s location in the heart of the town is perfect and the Frank’s brand always guarantees great customer loyalty.”

“The lockdown period and the support via the furlough scheme, has left people with more disposable income and with uncertainty over foreign holidays in 2020, many have turned to home improvements, so we have never been busier.

“Franks has never shied away from opening stores during difficult times, such as recessions and, in this case, an unprecedented global pandemic and subsequent lockdown."

He said more store openings and investments are planned in the coming months.