A discount retailer has created 20 new jobs after making a 'welcome return' to Lowestoft.

The deputy mayor of Lowestoft, Peter Knight, officially opened the new QD Store in the town today (Wednesday).

And with the store located on Commercial Road, it marks a welcome return to Lowestoft for QD Stores, who have had a presence in the town since 1989 up until their London Road North store closed in June last year.

Having been seeking a replacement property since then, QD Stores has returned to bring its popular offering of home, gardening, pets, furniture, clothing, food and more back to Lowestoft – all at discounted prices. The store provides 10,000 sq ft of retail space, as well as parking for 120 cars.

This weekend (Saturday and Sunday, November 4/5), there will be free face painting, children's entertainment and a visit by Minions characters, along with some special guests from the Fritton Owl Sanctuary at the store. There will also be a prize draw to win £150 in QD gift vouchers and a host of giveaways for customers.

Deputy mayor of Lowestoft, Mr Knight, said: 'I am delighted to officially open the new QD Store and to celebrate QD's welcome return to our town. The store has created 20 new jobs which is very good news for the area. Welcome back QD!'

Helen Foster, commercial director at QD Stores Group, said: 'It was a pleasure to have the deputy mayor officially open our new store in Lowestoft today. We have had a fantastic number of customers since we opened our doors at 9am and feedback has been amazing.

'We're very pleased to be back in the town and look forward to bringing more great value, excellent quality and ever-changing spectacular new deals to Lowestoft in the coming months.'

In return for the deputy mayor's time, QD Stores has made a donation to the Lord Kitchener Memorial Holiday Centre in Lowestoft.

QD Stores is part of the QD Group, which is an independent, family-owned chain of High Street value retail outlets. There are currently 45 stores in the Group.