Return of TJ Hughes bringing 50 new jobs to Walsall
Discount department store TJ Hughes is to return to Walsall town centre this autumn, creating up to 50 jobs, it has been announced.
The retailer is to open a new 30,000sq ft outlet in the store formerly occupied by Argos and will be a main anchor of the Saddlers Centre.
It comes three years after they left their old base in the former Woolworths in Park Street, having been located there for just two years.
The announcement has been hailed as a big boost to the town. The arrival of TJ Hughes in early October will come along with the relocation of the Walsall Walk-in Health Centre.
The health centre is taking over a smaller part of the unit and will be accessed from Bridgeman Street.
Topland, which owns the shopping centre, say TJ Hughes will anchor the complex along with the existing Marks & Spencer.
Asset director Steve Pope said: "When we first purchased the centre we set out to bring more shopping choice to the Saddlers Centre loyal customer base and a new TJ Hughes department store brings exactly that.
Increase
"We do expect TJ Hughes to deliver significantly more footfall than the old Argos store and help us to deliver our strategy for the Saddlers Centre."
He added: "Customers will have more reasons to shop local.
"Convenient shopping on people's doorstep with convenient, reasonably-priced parking and good transport links to Bradford Street bus station and Walsall train station."
The new store announcement comes as the shopping centre pushes ahead with creating a food hub, which includes Burger King, Greggs and Subway.
Regeneration chief, councillor Adrian Andrew, praised the impending arrival of TJ Hughes and Topland for attracting new business.
"The people managing there have done a fantastic job getting new shops," he said.
"It is good for their centre, it is good for the town centre and it is good for the people of Walsall."
The arrival of TJ Hughes is another boost to the borough after discount homeware chain B&M revealed it was opening in Aldridge.
They are taking over the former Focus unit in Coppice Lane and will be creating 65 jobs.
It comes after another B&M branch opened in Wednesbury.
The jobs boost means the two stores will have created more than 100 posts in just a matter of months.
The walk-in health centre is expected to move from its current site in Market Square, Digbeth, to the Saddlers by the end of the year.
Health chiefs say it will improve access for patients to see a GP for minor injuries and ailments.
