Discount retailer B&M has confirmed it will create 70 new jobs as it prepares to open a new superstore in Dundee.
The company told The Courier it will begin trading at Kingsway East on Thursday August 6 after a major refit of premises once operated by B&Q.
Contractors are on site putting the finishing touches to the new store, which will sell food, clothing and toys.
B&M already occupies one of the largest units within the Wellgate Shopping Centre but has been looking to expand its presence in the city.
Confirmation of the jobs boost was welcomed by Councillor Will Dawson, convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee.
He said: “I am pleased that this prominent site will be brought back into use so quickly and that job opportunities for people in Dundee have been created into the bargain.”
The jobs created will be a mixture of full and part-time roles and store manager Jen Orr said she was pleased that B&M had been able to employ local people.
“B&M is committed to recruiting from the local area and I am delighted we’ve found a great team from in and around Dundee,” she said. “We’re really proud to be creating another 70 jobs this year and continuing to play our part in the local community.
“We are excited to get the doors open on August 6 and honoured to have Lord Provost Bob Duncan cutting the ribbon to officially mark the opening of our new store.”
B&M bosses have overseen staggering growth in recent years, with the discount market showing no sign of slowing.
The success story started with a single shop near Blackpool in 1976, but has developed to become a major player, taking on stores such as Home Bargains, which also has an outlet in Dundee.
B&M is now run by former Tesco boss Terry Leahy and is looking to expand into larger premises, targeting retail park sites once operated by chains such as Homebase and B&Q.
The group already has more than 420 stores, including those in Forfar, Dundee, Perth, Glenrothes and Leven, and expects to add a further 80 UK sites by the end of the financial year.
In May, it reported a 29.5% rise in sales in the year to March 28, to £1.647 billion.