THE new Mountain Warehouse store in Cardigan is set to open its doors to customers next Friday (October 25).

The UK outdoor retailer’s new 1,700 square foot store on the site of the old Dorothy Perkins shop at Pendre will be selling womenswear, menswear, kidswear and outdoor equipment.

Mountain Warehouse is one of the few stores shrugging off the high street gloom throughout the UK after posting record sales and profits earlier this year.

A string of high-profile retailers are currently scrambling to shut stores as they struggle to balance falling sales with soaring property costs, but Mountain Warehouse has reasserted its confidence in the high street.

The company has said that “it’s no secret that many retailers are finding it tough going” but it has been able to take advantage of the shake out by moving into shops that its rivals were racing to close down and securing better terms with landlords.

The retailer, which currently runs 350 stores and employs 3,500 staff, is planning to open a further 50 stores this year, including around 20 in the UK and of which the Cardigan store is one.

Pre-tax profits rose 14 per cent to £23.7m in the 12 months to February 24 this year. Sales rose 13 per cent to £255m, marking the group’s 22nd year of unbroken sales growth.

The chain has established itself as the leading outdoor value brand for all things hiking, camping, cycling and skiing under the leadership of Mark Neale, who set up the firm’s first outlet in Swindon just over two decades ago. Since then it has developed into a fast-growing chain with a global footprint.

Challenges from rising property costs and online competition are not likely to fade anytime soon but Mountain Warehouse has shown that the rise of the internet does not mean the collapse of the high street.

Founder and chief executive Mark Neale said: "I’m delighted to have delivered another set of record results, despite the obvious headwinds.

“It’s no secret that many retailers are finding it tough going, but our relentless focus on value – great outdoor gear for all the family at great prices – continues to hit the mark. The results also owe much to the terrific efforts of our 3,500 people and the work that we continue doing to diversify and weather-proof the business.

“This year we have more than doubled the size of our women’s summer range. As a result, we expect to sell over 100,000 summer dresses, over 500,000 tops and T shirts, and 100,000 pieces of women’s swimwear. It means our sales of womenswear are growing twice as fast as the overall business and I no longer need to lose sleep if the sun is shining."