Gamer Kris takes charge at HMV in Pride Hill Centre
Game boy Kris Townsend is aiming to make an impression as he steps into store management for the first time with entertainment giant HMV.
Kris, from Stourbridge, is the new boss of the company’s busy store in Shrewsbury’s Pride Hill Centre store.
And for the 30-year-old, a big fan of gaming himself, it’s proving to be an inspired move.
He said: “I have been with HMV for seven years and previously worked at the Pavilion Centre in Birmingham and more recently at our store in Stratford-Upon-Avon as deputy manager.
“However, I have to say Shrewsbury is proving to be a fantastic place to work. Pride Hill is busy and the shoppers and visitors are lovely - it’s just such a great place to shop and work.
“It’s the first HMV shop I have managed and I really think it can be a huge success. It’s already doing well but I have a few ideas and, with an improved range of titles on offer, I think it can be an even bigger success.”
Kris, who hails from Stourbridge but now lives in Kidderminster, admits he’s a huge game fan himself.
He said: “I do love ‘Call of Duty’ which has been right at the top of the gaming tree for a number of years.
“And I also like Batman. However, with so many new titles coming out on such a regular basis, there is always something new to try.
“I’m also hoping to run some gaming events in the near future as well as a few launch parties as and when new games come out.”
He added: “It’s been brilliant so far in Shrewsbury and the staff, there are 10 full time and part time workers, and myself are determined to take HMV to the top when it comes to customer experience and service.
“I might not have been a manager for long and be new to the town but Shrewsbury is the place for me.
“I’m really excited about the future and determined to grasp the opportunity I have been given with both hands.”
Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: “We’d like to welcome Kris to the Centres – he certainly has a positive attitude.
“HMV is a very important part of the retail mix we have here and the store in the Pride Hill centre is always busy and has an excellent range including a comprehensive technological section.”
