Vodafone has opened its 200th franchise store in Tavern Street, Ipswich, in time for the festive season.
The new milestone reflects Vodafone’s ongoing investment in providing shoppers with a blend of in-person support through its traditional retail outlets and access to the latest online digital services such as the My Vodafone app.
Established in 2017, Vodafone’s franchise programme offers local entrepreneurs the chance to be their own boss of up to three Vodafone-branded stores. They receive a fully fitted store offering the latest smartphones, connected devices for the home and the UK’s fastest growing home broadband service – all backed by Vodafone’s new Unlimited plans and high-speed mobile and fixed fibre network.
Through this successful programme, Vodafone is helping local entrepreneurs and communities stay connected through improved digital connectivity.
Suffolk-born local businessperson Matthew Arthur took charge of the Ipswich store this week. With more than six years’ of experience working in the region’s telecoms industry, Matthew and his team of eight employees are well qualified to provide customers with advice on the latest technology, gadgets and digital entertainment services.
Matthew Arthur commented: “Ipswich is undergoing a major re-development, and we want to be on hand to help local businesses and residents with all their connectivity requirements as the town looks to prosper. We see our store as an important hub for the local community to meet and provide advice face-to-face.”
Vodafone UK Consumer Director Max Taylor said: “We are delighted that Matthew and the team have taken ownership of our two hundredth franchise store. Through this successful programme and the continued rollout of our fast network to more areas, we are helping local entrepreneurs and communities stay connected through improved digital connectivity.”
Carol singers and Santa Claus greeted people at the store’s official opening. Other guests included representatives from Suffolk Youth People’s Health Project, a local charity that provides advice, guidance and practical support to young people. The employees of the Vodafone Ipswich store will help the charity through fund raising events and building local awareness.
