Dunelm Mill, which started as a curtain stall in a Leicester market, was yesterday valued on the stock market at £340m.
Shares opened at 170p but rose later to 183p. Jean Adderley, one of the founders, which has grown to a home furnishings empire of 82 budget homeware stores, has cashed in a 30% stake in the business, netting her £102m.
Her husband Bill, who is a non-executive director, has retained his 50% stake. The couple started the business in 1979 and opened the first store in 1984 in Leicester. Their son, Will, is chief executive and plans to open 150 superstores across Britain.