The Japanese Shop, the York and Harrogate retailer which last month was declared the overall 2004 Evening Press Business of the Year, opens a new branch in Chester tomorrow.

Jez Willard, the proprietor, instructed his lawyer to speed up purchase of the grade II listed building in Chester to ensure the deal was done on the day of the Evening Press awards so that win or lose he had something to celebrate.

In the event he succeeded in all his targets, and indeed his success went "beyond my wildest dreams".

His stores scooped both the Retailer of the Year and Small Business of the Year titles before taking the ultimate accolade.

Now Jez has rented a flat in Chester to oversee the shopfitting and launch of his latest venture, which is nearly double the size of his shop in Coppergate Walk, York, and three times as big as his Harrogate outlet. With six people employed in Chester, it brings the number of people on The Japanese Shop's payroll to 20.

"It's proving to be a great year," said Jez, who started the business with his Japanese wife, Hiromi.

"There has been a terrific public response to our victory in the awards, with special goodwill from existing clients who have paid us lots of compliments. It's energised us all."

Updated: 10:30 Friday, December 17, 2004