By Jonathan Sutton - Local Democracy Reporter

A discount fashion outlet has appeared on Biddulph's high street – Fashion Porter which opened on Saturday 26 November to coincide with Biddulph Christmas Lights Switch On and promises to offer "prices which can't be beaten."

Anfal Ahmed said: "From what people have said the people of Biddulph, they have needed something like this. We certainly have had a good response so far and it's a question of playing it by ear and seeing how it goes.

"The advantage of coming in the store is that you can see it, feel it and try it on and you know whether you are happy with it or not and customers know where to go if you're not happy with it."

At the moment Mr Ahmed is unsure on the opening times and is waiting to see what Biddulph customers want. He says: "We're not ready to open yet but with the light switch on on Saturday; people were telling us you're silly not to open – at the moment we'll be open everyday until Christmas."

Mr Ahmed who is from Leicester says that circumstances led him to Biddulph "we know the person who owns the premises and he told us the property is empty and I thought I'll give it a go"

On what made him decide to open his shop Mr Ahmed said: "When we came to Biddulph the first thing we noticed was there were no clothing shops but secondly there weren't that many empty shops.

"Which is one of the main things that attracted us because if you go to some high streets there are a lot of empty shops – if your high streets are dead your town centre is dead."

Speaking about the location of the shop, which has taken over the old Coral bookmakers, Mr Ahmed says "I think the location is perfect in terms of Biddulph, we've got the Wetherspoons opposite, B&M and the walk through to Home Bargains which is the car park. 

Currently the shop is cash only but there are plans after Christmas to get a card reader however this has not deterred customers.

"The people of Biddulph have been excited, there are not many customers who have come in and not spent money, but we are also learning what people want, so we are bringing in what the people want here, which will take longer but that is our aim

"People have been saying that Sainsburys has been the only place for clothes and you can't request the clothes you want. If people want something I'm happy to get it in and offer that personal touch"

Business rates are the biggest issue with shops on the high street, Mr Ahmed thinks but hopes that as so many other shops are on the high street shows that business can survive in the current climate.

"You can't beat my prices. I know that for definite – my prices are unbeatable. Everyone needs a good deal, everyone needs a good deal."

Nancy Douglas, 77 from Mow Cop, who was visiting Biddulph for the day said: "It's a shame when shops stand empty when you can put people in them but every town is the same. They should do more to bring shops back in to the town – everything is in supermarkets these days"