DISCOUNT chain Home Bargains, one of the UK’s fastest growing retailers, is to open in the old Woolworths unit in Stourbridge’s Ryemarket shopping centre.

The family owned chain, which has around 170 stores nationwide, plans to take over the empty store at the beginning of September to begin refit work - ahead of a pre-Christmas opening.

The old Woolies store - the shopping centre’s flagship unit - has lain empty since January when the High Street giant went into administration.

But since then negotiations have continued with TJ Morris Ltd, which trades as Home Bargains, and a number of former Woolworths sites have been snapped up.

Centre manager Karl Taylor said: “This is absolutely brilliant news, we are delighted such a successful business is coming to town. It will be a massive boost for The Ryemarket and Stourbridge and will no doubt offer a number of job opportunities.”

Hannah Rogers, Stourbridge town centre manager, said: "It's such good news that another business is choosing to invest in Stourbridge when other town centres seem to be struggling. It's a real shot in the arm for the town."

Home Bargains, which aims to be trading in time for Christmas, carries a range of top High Street brands - from health and beauty products to household goods, food and toys which it aims to sell at the lowest possible prices.