A KEIGHLEY store under new ownership has issued a pledge to customers.

Discount homeware chain Poundstretcher, which has more than 320 outlets across the UK, was bought three months ago by the US-based Fortress Investment Group – which also owns Majestic Wine and Punch Pubs.

Andrew Atkinson, former Morrisons group commercial director, is Poundstretcher's new chief executive.

Lorraine Howard – manager of the store at Keighley Retail Park, in Hard Ings Road – says the move will lead to improvements for customers, and the nine staff employed there.

She says: "The business is listening hard to customers and colleagues, to understand how we can make Poundstretcher a better place to shop and work, and responding to ideas and suggestions.

"There are now hundreds of permanent price cuts on many product categories across the store, and more big brands that customers love.

"Myself and my team at the Keighley outlet are passionate about our store and our customers.

"We strive to ensure that customers get 100 per cent of our time to help with anything that they may need."

Fortress said it was committed to investing in Poundstretcher, which has 4,000 employees, and would engage with all stakeholders.

It said this would include developing supplier relationships to improve the shopping experience for customers, and investing to help Poundstretcher expand its reach.