Birkenhead's famous TJ Hughes store is to reopen (From Wirral Globe)

Birkenhead's famous TJ Hughes store is to reopen

10:44am Friday 28th September 2012 in News By Leigh Marles

FLASHBACK: TJ Hughes in Birkenhead

AROUND 70 new jobs will be on offer in Wirral as a major store makes a welcome return to the borough.

TJ Hughes’ new owners, Lewis’s Home Retail Ltd, are set to re-open the flagship store in the heart of Birkenhead.

The move will see 60 new jobs created for the official re-launch in October and a further 10 people will be recruited across two more new stores in the Grange and Pyramids.

The closure of TJ Hughes last August was seen as a “deep-blow” for the town as 66 people lost their jobs with the store being described as part of the “fabric and history” of Birkenhead by then-council leader Steve Foulkes.

But now it is hoped the high-street favourite can relive its former success.

Derek Millar, commercial director for the Grange and Pyramids Shopping Centre, said: “I am so delighted to welcome TJ Hughes back to the town and The Grange and Pyramids Shopping Centre. I know many of our customers were very sorry to see it close and will be as pleased as we are that it will be reopening.

“It is terrific news for the centre and terrific news for the town and it underlines our commitment to attracting new business and making sure we are offering our visitors the very best range of retailers.”

And Kim Beattie, marketing manager for Lewis’s Home Retail Ltd, said customers can expect to see a fresher, revamped version of TJ Hughes.

The Liverpool-based company took over some of the TJ Hughes’ sites including the city’s London Road store after the retail chain went into administration in June 2011.

Kim said: “We are delighted to return to Birkenhead because of the many loyal customers we have on the Wirral.

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

“The store will also receive an interior facelift prior to us opening.”

Other business arriving in the town centre include toy shop Conways Toymaster, and furniture store Magical Homes.