AROUND 20 jobs could be created with the opening of a new kitchen showroom in Bradford.

Plans for new signage for the soon-to-close Mothercare unit in the Forster Square Retail Park have been submitted by Wren Kitchens.

Very few details have been released, but the new 14,103 sqft showroom is expected to open its doors in September, leading to the creation of around 20 jobs.

A spokesperson for Mothercare confirmed the Bradford store is due to close Sunday, March 31.

‘Store closing’ and ‘last three days’ signs were visible on the front of the unit yesterday, with shoppers guaranteed ‘at least 60 per cent off everything’.

The troubled retailer, which is overhauling the business to boost its flagging fortunes, recently said its swingeing store closure plan was ahead of schedule.

Fifty seven stores are set to shut by the end of the March, taking its estate down to 80 from 137 last May.

It has also sold its Early Learning Centre business as it ramps up the turnaround efforts.

The group said it had agreed the deal for up to £13.5 million in a move to help slash its debt pile.

It said the move will help it pay off around £17.5 million of debt over the next year, while it has also struck an “arm’s length” concession deal with The Entertainer for the supply of toys to stores and online.

While Mothercare’s closure marks a loss for the retail park, Wren’s application brings hope the unit will be brought back into use.

Speaking about the news, Bradford Chamber of Trade secretary Val Summerscales said it was sad to see the demise of Mothercare, but welcomed the fact that another retailer has been found.

“It will be welcome on Forster Square, I’m sure,” she said.

It will mark Wren’s first showroom in Bradford, but there is also one at Birstall Shopping Park and in Huddersfield town centre.

The Lincolnshire-headquartered firm was founded 10 years ago in Howden, East Yorkshire, and now delivers more than 2,000 kitchens a week from its production facilities in Howden, Scunthorpe and Barton-upon-Humber.

The Bradford showroom is part of the firm’s expansion.

It currently has 78 showrooms across the country, with plans to open another 17 this year, and employs more than 4,000 people across the UK.

Wren, whose parents company is West Retail Ltd, published its company accounts last week, reporting a turnover of £490,782,631 – an increase of 20.7 per cent on 2017.

The showrooms include 3D Modelling software to create an interactive visualisation for customers, so they can see exactly what is being designed.

The new showroom will join major names including Boots, Harveys, Sports Direct, DFS, TK Maxx, Argos and Next at the Forster Square Retail Park.