A FORMER supermarket site in Burnley town centre is to be brought back to life this month, with the creation of 32 new jobs.

Staples, a stationery retailer, is due to open a new store at the former Sainsburys site in Church St.

The announcement means the site will be soon be fully occupied for the first time since the superstore left in April 2001.

Sainsburys closed their Church Street store after winning a planning battle to build a new store and redevelop the former Prestige site in Active Way.

Ian Tattersall, Staples district manager, is overseeing the finishing touches at the new Burnley store for its opening on August 30.

The new store is currently launching a recruitment drive to increase its sales team, creating 32 new jobs.

Since its closure Burnley's Town Centre Management team has worked to persuade retailers to fill the 35,000 sq ft site.

Two years ago, discount clothing giant TK Maxx moved to Burnley and took 20,000 square feet of the complex.

Now, Staples is set to occupy the remaining 15,000 sq ft of the building.

Lisa Durkin, Burnley's Town Centre Manager, said: "We have a major brand coming to Burnley in a site that is close to the town centre. Because we have a lot of retail parks in Burnley, there is a demand for sites.

"It will be a good addition to what we already have and the extra jobs are welcome."

Ian Tattersall said: "The team has been busy getting the store ready for the grand opening. We will be looking to develop strong relationships with local businesses and the local community, through a series of business-focused activities, commencing with a business event in September."

The Mayor of Burnley, Councillor Lilian Clark, will officially open the new store at 9am on Saturday, August 30.