A bargain superstore has announced plans to open a second store in Accrington to provide a boost to the town centre.
B&M will be occupying the site of the Homebase store on Hyndburn Road and is set to open in the summer.
The announcement follows the shock decision last week by Homebase to close their store on February 21.
A spokesman for B&M said: “We are delighted to announce that B&M Retail will be opening a second store in Accrington; occupying the Homebase in the town.
“A comprehensive internal and external refurbishment programme will be completed once the existing unit is empty and the new B&M store is expected to open by summer this year.
“At B&M, we always believe that our colleagues make the store what it is and we will be looking to recruit in the very near future.
“When applications open, all jobs will be advertised via the B&M website. Interviews will also be available to all ex-Homebase staff from the Accrington store.”
The retail chain also has a store on Union Street in the town centre.
It comes just a week after M&S announced they would be closing their store on Broadway after 53 years in the town.
Council leader Miles Parkinson said he welcomed B&M’s decision to expand.
He said: “It’s been known for some time that Homebase was planning on closing some stores, but the decision by M&S was a complete surprise.
“It’s sad that Homebase and their business plan hasn’t been successful in Hyndburn, but it’s very good news that B&M will be interviewing the staff from Homebase.
“It’s one of the major issues when stores close, and our first concern is always for them and as we know there aren’t that many jobs out there.
“But I take this as being very positive and we look forward to welcoming more businesses.”
Conservative group leader Coun Peter Britcliffe said that the B&M announcement was a chink of light.
He said: “We’ve had some really dreadful news this last two weeks and it’s good to know that this premises will not be empty.
“It’s a little chink of light in what’s been a dark winter for Accrington.”
Ray Goldstone, chair of the Chamber of Trade in Accrington, said the announcement was good news. He said: “It’s the way business works.
“M&S may stay yet, we don’t know for sure, we’re still having discussions about it.”
