TODAY a major retailer will open its doors in Workington, much to the excitement of shoppers in the town.

Community leaders in the town have welcomed the news the new TK Maxx store will open today October 12 at 10am, after much anticipation from residents about the major retailer taking over the former Debenhams unit in the town centre.

The Times & Star exclusively revealed in January that TK Maxx would be coming to the town, with planning applications going in for alterations to the outside of the former Debenhams Store in Washington Street in September 2022.

Politicians and town centre management at the Washington Square Shopping Centre have welcomed the new store to Workington, saying it is ‘fantastic’ for the town.

Cllr Mark Fryer, leader of Cumberland Council said: “I’m delighted to welcome TK Maxx to Workington utilising the former Debenhams store in Washington Square.

"Having a presence from a major retailer such as this is fantastic and will inevitably see more footfall and visitors in the town.”

Workington MP, Mark Jenkinson said: “It’s great to see TK Maxx opening after they have had hopes of coming to the town for a number of years and obviously great to see Debenhams being brought back into use... hopefully it will be beneficial to other traders in bringing something of a revival post-Debenhams.

“I am sure it will be well supported by shoppers.”

Sovereign Centros, which manages the Washington Square Shopping Centre, has said there has been 'incredible feedback' to the opening and hinted at more ‘exciting brands’ showing interest in the town on the back of TK Maxx opening.

A spokesperson for Sovereign Centros said: "Since we announced the anticipated opening of TK Maxx we have had such incredible feedback from both the public and our current and prospective retailers.

"There has been a lot of excitement in the town, and we have been counting down to opening day. We look forward to welcoming back some shoppers who may not have been into town for a while.

"People will notice some great changes in the centre such as Pandora recently having re-opened along with relocated and upgraded stores such as Trespass and Shoezone.

"We are having a number of discussions with other exciting brands off the back of TK Maxx and look forward to announcing more good news in the future."

TK Maxx has signed a new 15-year lease for the ground and part first floors of the building, which has been vacant since Debenhams closed its doors in May 2020.