FAMILY-run discount store Quality Save is to start catering for lunchtime trade at Stretford Mall, after a refurbishment that has expanded its workforce to 40.

Quality Save, which sells a branded goods at low prices at stores across the North West, has invested in a refit at the Stretford Mall store including installing two large chiller cabinets stocking lunches and snacks.

The discount trader has also increased its workforce by 15, taking the total number of staff at the Stretford Mall store to 40.

Modern energy efficient lighting has also been installed, and the re-fit has doubled the amount of chilled goods it can offer which includes sandwiches, pasties, sausage rolls, soups, yoghurts, fruit and drinks.

Quality Save is one of four retailers who have invested in a refit at Stretford Mall in recent months, with Barnardo's, Nationwide and EE all also recently unveiling new looks to improve customer service.

Stretford Mall manager Gareth Wilkins says it is testament to the confidence and commitment established businesses have in the shopping centre, currently undergoing an exciting multi-million pound redevelopment to create a more modern retail environment.

Store manager Kerry Discini said: "It's a big investment for the store. The new chillers will help us to cater for the lunch time trade which is when we're at our busiest.

"They're located by the entrance so it will enable people to grab and snack. We've definitely seen an increase in workers coming in. We also get parents coming in after school to pick up snacks for their children.

"We've doubled the amount of chilled goods we can stock. The chillers stand out. They are there as soon as you walk through the doors.”

Kerry has been with Quality Save for 30 years and joined the Stretford Mall store to help oversee the new direction at the end of January.

She said: “We've had a lot of positive comments from customers about the chillers. They've gone down really well.

"People think they're a great idea. We are getting little chiller baskets at some point to go in front which will be stocked with sweets and other items.

"As part of the refit we've also had modern, energy saving lighting installed which people have said makes the store look much brighter."

Stretford Mall centre manager Gareth Wilkins said: "It's fantastic that four of our stores have recently undergone refits to improve their facilities for both customers and staff.

“Quality Save offers affordable essentials which are a staple for many of our customers here in Stretford. We are delighted to see them investing in the store enabling them to offer greater variety to our customers throughout the day and in particular at lunch time.

"It demonstrates the confidence and commitment businesses have towards the mall and I'm sure the redesigned stores will help Quality Save, Barnardo's, EE and Nationwide go from strength to strength.”

The Barnardo's charity shop at Stretford Mall is among four stores that has also recently undergone a refit. The charity shop has invested in improvements to the layout of the shop floor and kitchen facilities for the staff.

Both EE and Nationwide have created a more open plan look to help improve their customer service.

Lea McManus, who helps run the Barnardo’s charity shop, said: "It was an old shop so it's been given a fresh lick of paint. We've got new fixtures so we can put goods on the wall which will help.

"We've also raised some of the ceiling so it's now all one level. It may not look too different to customers, but it has made it look bigger and brighter."