A MAJOR new Bolton town centre store will create 40 jobs for local people.

Bosses from Wilkinson, which will be opening in the former Woolworth’s shop in Deansgate, say work is progressing well at the site and it is hoped the store will be open early next year.

Robin Lassiter, head of retail, said: “Opening a new store in Bolton next year, on the site of the former Woolworths, is an exciting prospect for Wilkinsons.

“We hope to shortly take possession of the site with a view to launching the store in 2012.

“We are looking forward to joining the town’s close knit community and providing excellent customer service, and quality products at unbelievable prices, to Bolton residents.

“We expect to create approximately 40 new jobs for local people, ranging from sales assistants and security officers, to stock supervisors and warehouse staff.”

The unit, which is on a prominent corner in the town centre, has been empty for the past 18 months since the collapse of the Woolworths empire.

It has attracted criticism as an eyesore following several attacks by vandals.

The new store is a further boost for Bolton town centre as 48 new outlets have opened between January last year and May this year.

Over the same period, 38 shops closed.

Council chiefs have welcomed the boost to the town centre.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Cliff Morris, said: “We’re really pleased the opening of Wilkinsons will create new jobs for local people.

“We understand this will be a mixture of full-time and parttime jobs which means there is a range of opportunities on offer.

“This will be a welcome boost for the local economy.”