The Works (retailer)
TheWorks.co.uk PLC, trading simply as The Works, is a discount retailer based in the United Kingdom selling an extensive range of books, art and craft materials, gifts, toys, games and stationery. It has over five hundred stores across the United Kingdom and Ireland as of 2022. History. The company was founded in 1981 by Mike and Jenny Crossley as discount bookstore Remainders Limited. Stores of The Works are categorised into five product “zones”: Kids (toys, games etc.), Arts & Craft, Stationery, Family Gifts, and Seasonal/Regional, which includes a selection of local interest and tourist specific ranges. TheWorks.co.uk , the company's first e commerce platform, was launched in January 2012. The company's loyalty card scheme "Together" was launched in October 2013, and had reached one million members by December 2016. Expansion and Ownership. The Works acquired twenty six outlets of the chains "Bargain Books" and "Bookworld" in March 2007, after their parent company went into administration. The Works itself entered administration in January 2008. The business was subsequently purchased by the private equity firm Endless in May 2008. Hoyle became chairman of the discount retailer after a “sizeable cash investment” in July 2015. It was announced in  July 2018 that The Works, approximately a third owned by Hoyle, would have an initial public offering and a valuation of £100 million. Hoyle retained the largest shareholding of 15% after the flotation.