The Range’s South of England distribution centre will get a massive 1.2m sq ft single unit to service its growing market presence after purchasing a 55-acre site at Central Park, the Delta Properties’ logistics development in Bristol. The unit forms part of grand plans by the company’s founders whose ambitions shows no signs of waning.

To be completed by next year, the new distribution centre will provide more than 1,000 jobs to the local area after The Range co-founder Chris Dawson pledged more money to grow the business. Indeed, he will put £100m of his own money into the project which he believes will successfully support ambitious growth plans which include more stores and an increase in multi-channel activities.

Dawson, who founded The Range in 1980 as an open air market trader, told reporters that he did the latest deal while sipping pina coladas on his favourite beach in Barbados. He was in the same spot when he purchased all the MFI stock a few years ago. He said the new distribution centre is part of his “non-stop” ambition and that it highlights another major step forward for this quickly developing business. Dawson’s success has seen him feature in the Sunday Times Rich List thanks to a cut-throat ethos on making a business as profitable as possible.

From humble roots The Range has enjoyed significant expansion over the last few years. Today, it is recognised for its array of products across a number of departments which Dawson plans to increase in the next 12 to 24 months. Currently stores stock around 65,000 quality products in the mid-price range to help its customers develop their homes at affordable prices. The evolution of The Range has seen it diversify into manufacturing, waste management, property, dry cleaning and shop-fitting. It has also launched a financial management division with the introduction of The Money-range.