Posted on 20 Sep 2013
Rachael Ireland, PR Account Manager at ICG
My friend is the world's biggest Everton FC fan and so you can imagine the look on his face when I told him I'd spent the day with Neville Southall MBE, who as well as being one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, spent 17 years playing for Everton.
Don't worry all you 'red' fans, the equally famous Ronnie Whelan, who spent 15 years at Liverpool FC was also in attendance at the new Liverpool Speedy superstore opening on Wednesday 18th September and both helped to 'kick-start' the celebrations.
After the two football legends and Nigel Mellor, the chairman of Emmaus Merseyside (the Liverpool superstore's chosen charity of the year), declared the superstore at Sandhills Business Park officially open, we were taken on a tour of the brand new 26,500 square foot site, by manager, Allan Jones.
The superstore is huge and houses everything both national clients and SME customers need for working in construction, including tools, access, heating, cooling, pipework engineering, lifting and survey.
On the tour, Allan showed us the superstore's classroom training facilities, which can be hired out by companies for presentations or workshops (a full buffet is provided too!)
Downstairs, the superstore was a hive of activity with various health and safety talks and product demonstrations being delivered throughout the day.
A queue was forming when we arrived back at the Speedy Sales customer entrance, which I thought had something to do with the fact that the first 50 customers to make a purchase received a free pair of industrial boots. It was only when I got a whiff of coffee did I realise it was actually for the customer coffee point (I can also recommend the hot chocolate).
While we were waiting for the charity car wash to be set up which was in aid of Emmaus Merseyside, I had a good chat with Nigel who told me a bit more about the homeless enterprise.
Not only does Emmaus offer homeless people a home and the chance to rebuild their lives in a supportive environment, it operates second hand furniture and bric-a-brac stores which provide employment opportunities for its 'companions.' A store is due to open this Autumn at Seaforth, Liverpool.
As well as fundraising throughout the year for Emmaus Merseyside, to launch the partnership Speedy is inviting people on a virtual tour of the brand new Liverpool superstore and for every view the video gets, £1 will be donated to Emmaus Merseyside up to its target of £1,000.
The video is only 60 seconds long and so a minute of your life really could change someone else's - please click here to watch - thank you.
