Bargain Booze has now opened 30 stores under its new Thoroughgoods fascia as a nationwide expansion programme gains momentum. A spokesman for the BWG owned off licence group said the CTN offer which launched last October "had outstripped all expectation". In a move away from the destination approach of its main Bargain Booze fascia, the franchised c-stores offer a mix of news, convenience and discount alcohol lines geared towards small basket size. The portfolio is initially concentrated in a 50 mile radius of Bargain Booze's Crewe distribution centre to keep transport costs down. Bargain Booze has also opened 20 of its big Bargain Booze and Bargain Booze plus stores since the start of 2002, bringing the estate up to over 300 sites. Bargain Booze joint md Allan Whittle said this year's target was 130 stores, moving steadily further away from Crewe. The estate already spans a 100 mile radius of Crewe with new stores due to open in Swansea and Trowbridge in Wiltshire. A spokesman said: "We have had a phenomenal few months, and we want to have nationwide coverage in the next three to five years." But stores in Scotland or London have been ruled out due to distribution challenges, said Whittle. {{NEWS }}