New name for former TJ Hughes unit in town centre

One of the biggest empty retail units in King's Lynn town centre is set to re-open.

The former TJ Hughes store is on a prime site in the middle of one of the busiest pedestrian streets in the town's Vancouver Quarter.

It will become home to a Discount UK store and work started yesterday on preparing the unit.

The arrival of Discount UK will also bring 30 to 40 jobs and the company is currently refitting the store.

Discount UK is part of the company which runs Poundworld and sells a range of goods priced under �25.

Based in West Yorkshire, it has recently opened its 25th store and the Lynn branch is planned to open at the beginning of next month.

Lynn's Vancouver Quarter is currently running at 95pc occupancy and there was interest from three companies in the former TJ Hughes shop.

'We know that 2012 is undoubtedly going to be a tough year so it really is more important than ever that all areas of the town works together as a whole to keep bringing people into the area.

'We have events and promotions scheduled throughout the year and want to continue and indeed look for more companies to partner with on events,' said a spokesman.

Festive shoppers have helped boost the area though, as footfall for the week running up to Christmas was up by 22pc over the same period last year.

The figures mean that 8.4 million customers visited the centre during 2011.

The centre's management is also currently in talks with other companies wishing to take units, although they can't be named at this point.

'There certainly is interest,' said the spokesman.

But three stores have closed in the last few days; Seasons, The Gift Horse and the Calendar Shop have all closed their doors.

Seasons, selling a range of gifts and novelty products, had been in the town for eight years at a variety of locations before shutting for good.

Priceless shoes, in the High Street, has also closed.

TJ Hughes went into administration and the Lynn branch was closed in August with the loss of 50 jobs, both full and part-time.

The Vancouver Quarter will be marking Chinese New Year with the Jim Uglow and Hung Kuen Lion Dance Team.

The troupe will be in the centre from 11am.