Jessops back in the picture as Dragon relaunches chain

Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones has relaunched camera chain Jessops – two months after it was forced from the high street.

Two Jessops stores opened in London’s Oxford Street and Birmingham yesterday, with four others to open over the Easter weekend in Aberdeen, Manchester, High Wycombe and St Albans. Up to 30 more are due to reopen in April, as part of a 
£4 million investment.

Jessops called in administrators PwC in January, leading to the closure of all 187 stores and the loss of almost 1,500 jobs. Later that month, Mr Jones and other investors bought the brand and certain assets. The entrepreneur is the sole owner of the relaunched camera store chain.

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The company has pledged to create 500 jobs with its relaunch – with the majority going to former staff who lost their jobs when the chain collapsed.

Mr Jones, who appears as an investor on the BBC reality TV series about entrepreneurs, will take the role of chief executive and chairman.

He said: “I believe Jessops is an iconic British brand which can lead the retail resurgence on Britain’s high streets, powered by new innovations and world-leading, expert staff.”