A NATIONAL DIY chain is opening a new store in Southampton, creating 15 jobs.

Leading trade retailer, Screwfix is set to officially open its second store in the city next Thursday on Centurion Business Park in Bitterne.

Store manager, Victoria Shepherd is proud of the contributions the new store has made to employment figures in the region: “We’ve created fifteen new jobs and employed people from around the Southampton area. Our new team includes people with all different levels of experience, focused on providing superb customer service to meet the needs of our busy trade customers. Everyone here is really looking forward to the store opening.”

Tradespeople and serious DIY-ers are invited to attend the opening and can demonstrate their professional skills in a free-to-enter competition to win a 40in smart TV.

Throughout the store’s launch period from Thursday through to December 3, Screwfix will offer a 10 per cent discount on all product ranges.

Victoria said: “I’m confident we’ve got a great location here in Southampton. My team and I have already been getting to know local businesses and tradespeople and look forward to working with these hardworking, friendly people.”

Screwfix is the UK's largest multi channel retailer of trade tools, accessories and hardware products.

Founded in 1979 as the Woodscrew Supply Company, the company was acquired 20 years later by Kingfisher plc, which also owns B&Q.

The company started life as a mail order business but opened its first store in Yeovil in 2005 and since then the network has grown rapidly and there now more than 500 Screwfix shops in the UK and a further 20 in Germany.

There are plans for a 200 stores in the United Kingdom in the next couple of years.