Vodafone opens dedicated store for small firms

Vodafone has opened its first high street store designed especially to provide support for small business customers.

The Vodafone Business Store in Cheapside in the City of London was opened after feedback from small business customers calling for a location offering specific help, the firm said.

A spokeswoman for Vodafone added that the shop will cater for any consumers, but is primarily aimed at helping small businesses better manage and maintain the use of mobile devices.

The outlet will offer technical support and advice, such as seminars on problem solving and the best way to manage mobile communications, as well as product demonstrations and appointment services.

The spokeswoman said that the new store represents a further addition to the company's businesses advice contact points, including advisers in call centres and in 150 of its 400 retail stores, but that there are no plans for any more business specific shops at present.

"The store in Cheapside will offer a great way for businesses to get more information from Vodafone, but at the moment it remains a pilot and fact-finding project and no other stores are being considered," she said.

Vodafone has been keen to push its business credentials in recent weeks after the successful introduction of the iPhone, which the operator claims is gaining popularity among corporate users.

Lord Digby Jones, former director of the Confederation of British Industy, opened the new Vodafone store today, saying that it will help business customers make the most of their mobile communications.

"Small businesses are always looking for an edge and always looking to get that little bit more value for money, and this move to offer a dedicated service to the local business community will help provide this," he said.