The new manager of a fashion store has run up Llangollen\u2019s\u00a0 Horseshoe Pass to raise funds for a cancer charity which supports young people.<\/p>\n
Big-hearted Chris Owen, who has been with men’s fashion retailer Burtons for 15 years, has taken over the reins of their store at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre.<\/p>\n
According to Chris, he\u2019s proud to have the opportunity to manage his home town branch.<\/p>\n
And one of his first managerial tasks was to run four miles up the Horseshoe Pass from Llangollen to raise a mountain of cash for cancer charity Trekstock.<\/p>\n
The charity has a vision of beating cancer in young people by funding quality research of the highest standard and ensuring all young people have the right and relevant information to make better informed lifestyle choices.<\/p>\n
Chris, 42, says he\u2019s looking forward to a record breaking Christmas at the top North Wales shopping centre.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI\u2019ve worked at quite a few Burtons branches including Shrewsbury, Oswestry and several in Manchester. I came to Wrexham as deputy manager and when the previous manager was promoted to our Chester store, I was made manager here.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of my first tasks was to raise as much as we could for Burtons\u2019 nominated charity this year, Trekstock. Some managers organised book sales and such within stores but I decided the best thing was to raise as much as I could through a single event.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I arranged a run up the Horseshoe Pass. The only problem was I was the only one available so had to go it alone I\u2019m afraid. It was quite tough but I have always kept myself fit and enjoy running anyway. I raised more than a \u00a3100 and am delighted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll admit I didn\u2019t run every step of the way and had a couple of walking breaks but it was far tougher than I imagined. The warm coffee I enjoyed at the Ponderosa caf\u00e9 at the top was very welcome!\u201d<\/p>\n
And Chris reckons, despite the economic downturn, his store could well see a record Christmas.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cEagles Meadow has always had a lovely atmosphere and I personally think it\u2019s a fantastic place to shop. We have really seen an upturn in trade over the past few weeks and had some pretty encouraging figures.<\/p>\n
\u201cI speak to quite a few other Eagles Meadow store managers and they too say trade has improved quite a bit and it\u2019s getting busier. I\u2019m feeling very positive and I think we could be in for a really good\u00a0year indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI\u2019m really pleased to have been made manager of the Eagles Meadow branch of Burton\u2019s. I grew up in Wrexham and live in the town with my partner and our little three-year-old boy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to remain as manager of Burtons Eagle Meadow for a long time. Wrexham is my home town and I want to see the town successful. The message is simple come to Eagles Meadow, it\u2019s a great place to shop.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley said: “I’d like to congratulate Chris on his appointment as manager – and for his lung-busting run up the Horseshoe Pass to raise money for such a worthy cause.”<\/p>\n