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30 new jobs in Fleetwood
THIRTY new jobs are to be created in Fleetwood as a leading retailer today confirmed it is moving into the town's former Somerfield store. Blackpool-based cut-price store B&M will open the Anchorage Road unit for business on July 13.
But plans for a 5m redevelopment of the site to attract high street names has been put on the back burner because of the recession.
Planning permission to make a new retail park was gained last year by Freeport Fleetwood.
Dan Mason, of Freeport's management company Realm, said the recession had meant retailers had mothballed their expansion plans.
He said: "We still intend to develop the larger retail park that planning permission was granted for and it was always our intention to secure a shop unit for B&M within it.
"But B&M is moving into the existing building now, and staying right up until the time when their new store in the new development is ready.
"It is hoped building works can start as soon as market conditions improve. B&M is a hugely successful local company and we are positive the new store will prove very popular with local residents and the large number of visitors coming to Freeport Fleetwood."
County Councillor Clive Grunshaw said he was delighted to see such a well-established firm as B&M investing in Fleetwood.
He said: "B&M has been a successful business in Cleveleys and it's good to see them
investing in the town.
"I welcome the fact they are going to utilise the empty Somerfield building and welcome the jobs they are going to bring.
"It's much better seeing them opening up in Fleetwood than seeing the store stay empty.
"They draw people into Cleveleys and hopefully they will draw people into Fleetwood."
B&M was formed in 1976 and has more than 100 stores nationally and more than 5,000 staff.
A spokesman for B&M said: "We are thrilled to be opening a new store in Fleetwood and look forward to offering local customers and visitors our full range of brands at excellent prices.
"The unit will be spacious and well stocked with ample parking spaces.
"We will be opening on July 13 and creating 30 new jobs in the process."
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 32 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
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