POPULAR department store TJ Hughes will open its doors at Stretford Mall on Thursday with the creation of 40 new jobs.

The much-loved retailer, which was established in 1912 and taken over by Lewis’s Home Retail Ltd in August 2011, will be opening its doors in its original large corner unit at the Stretford shopping hub on at 10 am.

The news has been greeted by Stretford Mall manager Colin McCrory with delight who added it was a significant development for the community-based shopping centre to welcome back such a well-known store which had been sorely missed by shoppers.

Colin said: “We have been working very hard behind the scenes with TJ Hughes to secure their return and it really is so positive to see it come to fruition.

“Not only will it return to its status as one of our main flagship retailers for the scheme but it will also create 40 new jobs which is terrific news for our local community.

“Its return is also perfectly timed to fit in with our preparations for the busy festive period and I know the opening of TJ Hughes will add significantly to the choice on offer to our loyal shoppers as we start the run up to the big day.”

The discount department store will specialise in home and fashion, fragrance and cosmetics, technology and electricals. It offers premium brands at up to 70% discount and quality products at low prices.

With its headquarters in Liverpool, it currently has nine department stores nationwide from Eastbourne in the south to Glasgow in the north. The company employs around 700 people.

Kim Beattie, marketing manager for Lewis’s Home Retail Ltd, said: “We are delighted and excited to return to Stretford because of the many loyal customers we know we have in the area.

“Customers can expect, bigger, better famous brands at the same affordable prices and all those little hidden gems which people know us for.”