120 jobs on way at new Wolverhampton Debenhams
More than 120 jobs will be created when a new Debenhams store opens in a city, the retail giant has revealed today.
The department store will open a new three-storey unit at Wolverhampton's Mander Centre.
Speculation had been rife that Debenhams was the big name poised to move to the centre as part of a £30 million revamp.
And it was finally confirmed in April this year.
A spokesperson for Debenhams today said it was estimated that around 120 jobs, or more, could be created.
The new department store is expected to open in 2017.
The redevelopment of the Mander Centre - including the demolition of the former TJ Hughes store to make way for the new Debenhams- is poised to take a step forward tomorrow.(TUES)
Planning chiefs have been recommended to approve the plans at a meeting.
News of 120 new jobs has been welcomed by council chiefs, who today said it would be a 'shot in the arm for the city'.
Councillor Roger Lawrence, leader of Wolverhampton City Council, said: "Of course, this is excellent news for the city, and I am really pleased. It has been a long time coming.
"The important thing for us now is to work with Debenhams to ensure that the local people get the right training so they can access the jobs.
"I look forward to shopping in Debenhams when it opens."
Debenhams will anchor the shopping centre revamp.
Bosses at Delancey, owners of the Mander Centre, have previously said the introduction of the new Debenhams will be the 'first step in the regeneration of the city'.
The retail giant has long been interested in Wolverhampton but has never before confirmed its commitment to the city.
Work at the Mander Centre will also see three new major shop units and eight new kiosks created there.
It comes just days after it emerged jobless queues are shrinking in Wolverhampton, with unemployment falling by 161,000 to 2.16 million in the past three months.
Roles at Debenhams are the latest new retail jobs for the city. Poundworld created 30 new jobs, Aldi took on 35 workers and Iceland created 21 new roles when they all opened in the former Matalan Discount Store, in Birmingham Road.
