TJ HUGHES has been confirmed as the new anchor store in the Kirkgate Shopping Centre.

The opening - due in spring 2019 - will see the retailer return to Bradford seven years after its store in Sunwin House on Godwin Street closed.

The discount department store chain is set to open a new 32,000 sq ft store in the former WH Smiths and neighbouring Officers Club and Suit Company shops on Westgate Mall and Darley Mall.

The opening will create an unspecified large number of jobs in the local community.

Work on the new store is expected to begin this month.

Jason Harmer, chief operating officer at TJ Hughes, said: “It gives me great pleasure and excitement to rekindle the relationship between TJ Hughes and the Bradford community.

"The city is one of the largest and finest in the UK and our brand has previously traded strongly here.

"I am hopeful that people will remember our brand fondly and that the opening of our new department store benefits the City as a whole by bringing more shoppers back to the high street.

"We will as before bring big brands at great value to our Bradford customers.”

Catherine Riley, centre manager at Kirkgate Shopping, said: “We are truly delighted to welcome TJ Hughes and its customers into the centre next year and are looking forward to the excitement this new anchor store will bring.

"The store will certainly extend the wide selection of goods and services we offer to our shoppers.”

The company says the new store will have everything shoppers would expect to find in a quality department store, but with up to 70% off famous fashion brands, fragrances, cosmetics and household products.

The company's website lists a wide range of goods with beauty, electricals, men's, women's, home and garden departments.

The TJ Hughes department store in Sunwin House - which it took over from the Co-Operative group - closed on August 31, 2011, after the national chain went into administration.

More than 50 jobs were lost at the city centre department store after attempts to find a buyer failed.

TJ Hughes was bought out of administration by Endless, a British private equity firm, which has expanded the company's chain of stores.

The new store will further enhance the Kirkgate Shopping Centre's current offer of chain retailers and independent businesses, including Primark, New Look, The Fragrance Shop, F Hinds, Shoe Zone and Poundland.

Provident Financial submitted a planning application for the change of use of the Godwin Street annexe of TJ Hughes in May 2016. The plans did not include the Sunwin House section of the building which dates back to the 1930s.