New store to open in the centre
TJ Hughes arriving in EK
A department store is set to open its doors in East Kilbride – providing a muchneeded boost to the town centre.
It has been confirmed that discount retailer TJ Hughes, which specialises in home and fashion, fragrance and cosmetics, and technology and electrical goods, will take over the empty BHS unit in the Plaza.
Iconic high-street name BHS, who had been in the town since the 1970s, closed for the final time in 2016 – with the unit lying vacant following their departure.
While TJ Hughes, who have 23 stores across the UK, confirmed a store was opening in the town, they haven’t given further details about how many jobs will be created or when the store will open.
However, the nationwide store is advertising for retail assistants for the East Kilbride outlet on the total jobs website.
These posts include four, eight, 12 and 16 hours over one, two, three or four days.
The announcement follows the opening of Danish-design store Flying Tiger Copenhagen last month in a nearby unit formerly occupied by the clothing store, Menkind.
EK, East Kilbride centre director Ian McLelland said: “We’re delighted that TJ Hughes will be opening at EK Shopping Centre and moving into the former BHS unit.
“We have been working hard to bring new retailers to the centre and TJ Hughes is a well-known and popular retailer with outlets across the UK.”
East Kilbride town centre has suffered a number of job cuts in recent months with another iconic highstreet mainstay, Marks and Spencer, which employs 67 people, earmarked for close.
And just last week discounter Poundworld pulled down the shutters, with the loss of 16 jobs, after administrators failed to secure a UK-wide rescue bid.
Other names which have left the shopping centre include Fuel Juice Bar, KFC and tech store Maplin.
Shoe retailer Dune also closed after the firm decided against renewing its lease in Centre West.