BRITISH Home Stores will be opening a major new store in St Helens next spring.

The store will be built on the Tontine Market site in the La Grange Arcade and is being developed as a £5 million scheme undertaken by MEPC in conjunction with St Helens Council.

BHS have taken a 25-year lease to provide a store on two levels totalling 31,500 sq. ft. The new superstore will provide a huge range of menswear and childrenswear, as well as ladies fashions and household textiles.

It is expected to provide new employment for more than 100 full-time and part-time staff.

The new phase of the development is expected to be open in time for Easter next year.

As well as the BHS store, the development will also include a 2,400 sq. ft unit next to BHS, and a new Market Hall and outdoor market on the site of the existing St Mary's Market, providing 87 indoor and 32 outdoor units.

Mike Smith, leasing manager at MEPC's Manchester office, said: "We are delighted that BHS are coming into the scheme. A major store opening like this is very good news for St Helens and we expect a considerable increase in custom at Church Square as a result."

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