A SUCCESSFUL chain of cut price stores is on the expansion trail -- and looking to buy up old mills.

The Culcheth-based managing director of QS Discount Outlet, which has branches in Atherton, Chorley and and Sale, Simon Yates, wants to buy at least two more sites in the Wigan, Bolton, Chorley and Warrington areas for scheduled opening next year.

The company, established over 30 years ago by Simon's father, Les, and mother, Alma, employs over 180 people with a turnover of over £7million a year.

The passion for a bargain and the huge boom in quality discount shopping is driving the business forward.

QS, now one of the north west's major importers, began as a market business in Chorley and has expanded its product range to include sportswear, home ware and lifestyle products, including a gardening section, and continues to feature big name brands.

The Atherton store which covers 500,000 square feet is based in the old Courtaulds Mill and is eight years old. .

Simon, 40, who is due to visit the Canton Fair, the world's biggest, in China this month, insists he is still a market trader at heart, and proud of it. He was ten when he first got a job on his dad's stall and he has been wheeling and dealing since.

He says he still gets a buzz from his business and every day can be found on the shop floor -- but never in a suit.

Simon is now planning to target the group travel sector and coach and day trip market.

He said: "At the end of that day we are driven by customer demand and we constantly have to expand the range to satisfy our customers. If we don't they won't shop with us, it's as simple as that.