A DISCOUNT retailer will be replacing an empty unit at the Hathaway Retail Park in Chippenham next month, which is seen as a welcome boost to the local economy.

B&M, which sells everything from garden furniture and toys and games, to electricals and food and drink, will be opening at the former Homebase site on Saturday, September 22 at 9am.

It will create more than 70 jobs for the people of Chippenham and has been hailed a welcome addition.

B&M already has a store at Bumpers Farm Industrial Estate, which will remain open.

A spokesman from B&M said: “We’re feeling really positive about the creation of even more 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 a few weeks.”

Homebase officially closed its doors at the end of June. With a new store replacing the empty unit only a few months later it is seen as a positive during the difficult economic climate for businesses.

A spokesman for Chippenham BID said: “We are delighted that B&M will be filling the vacant unit at Hathaway Retail Park since Homebase’s closure.

“Chippenham has a low vacancy rate, and the more businesses we can welcome into vacant units, the more our town centre will thrive.”

Leader of Chippenham Town Council, Sandie Webb, said: “It is tremendous to learn that B&M will be moving into Hathaway Retail Park to fill the empty Homebase unit.

“This is a reflection of the variety of progress that can be seen within Chippenham at present.

“Alongside the vast improvements that have already been made to the train station, there will soon be an upgraded cinema, a Lidl and Aldi, and another long awaited hotel.”

Job roles are advertised on the B&M careers website and range from sales assistants, to floor managers and cleaners.

For more information, please visit: www.bmstores.co.uk/careers.