VALUE home and garden retailers Wilko are to open a new shop in Southampton city centre, creating 50 jobs.

The chain says they have signed a lease for an 8,400sq ft premises in West Quay Retail Park formerly occupied by shoe shop Brantano.

Wilko retail director Anthony Houghton said: “We know via our highly successful Shirley store that this area is a brilliant fit for Wilko, so we’re delighted to have expanded our presence here and signed the lease for a store at West Quay.

“The retail park has a strong retail offering but we’ve spotted a gap in the market for our range of great quality products at everyday low prices from Wilko."

Founded in 1930 as Wilkinson Stores by J K Wilkinson, Wilko is one of the UK’s largest retailers.

The Wilko product range concentrates on household essentials, including homewares, textiles, DIY, cleaning products, health and beauty lines, stationery, confectionery, pet products and kitchen and bathroom goods.

A large proportion of the range is made up of own-label products sold under the Wilko brand.

The West Quay Retail Park store, expected to open in April, will be the family business’s 403rd in the UK.

In addition to its store in Park Street, Shirley, Wilko has a branch in Fareham.

The 50 jobs created are another boost for employment in the city centre following the the opening of the extension to Westquay which has created around 400 jobs.

Discount shoe retailer Brantano went into administration in January.

The Leicestershire-based business, which ran 140 stores and 60 concessions across the UK, was bought by retail investment firm Alteri Investors in October.

Almost 1,400 retail jobs were then saved when Alteri bought the business back but decided to reduce the number of shops in the chain by 58, including the Southampton store.