B&M to open in former Focus store in Market Harborough

B&M is to open in the former Focus DIY store on the edge of Market Harborough.

The Focus store closed five years ago and several retailers have been linked with the site, including Tesco, which had planned to build a new store on the land until cutbacks forced it to back out.

The local council has revised the trading restrictions on the site to allow it to sell food and drink, toys, non-fashion clothing and toiletries and it is understood that these lines will take up no more than a quarter of the trading space. The rest of the store will sell DIY, garden and home improvement goods. The store is 2,783 sq.m., not including the garden centre.

The new store is planned to open in Spring 2017 and B&M has confirmed that it will not close its existing store in Market Harborough's town centre.

An agent acting on B&M's behalf told the council: "The shop fitting and general refurbishment of the store will deliver some £500,000 of capital investment; much of which can be expected to be spent with local firms of decorators, joiners, electrical and plumbing companies.

"We also forecast that a minimum 70 jobs will be created by the proposal.

"The more successful B&M Homestores can employ 80 plus people.

"The figure of 70 is therefore a minimum number."

A spokesperson for B&M said: "We're feeling really positive about the creation of new jobs for local people and we hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store.

"We are all really excited to get the doors open and welcome our new customers through the door in Spring 2017."

Source : Insight DIY
 
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