One of the country's most popular discount chains opens its latest superstore in Formby on Saturday.

Home Bargains has invested approximately £7 million in its new store at the former Stephenson Way Homebase, creating 121 new jobs. In total, it'll employ 134 team members, including some staff and management who will be transferring from local stores.

It's also be donating £2,000 to local charity Compassion Acts, who work in collaboration with Southport food bank. The charity works to prevent and reduce poverty and increase social wellbeing in Southport and the surrounding communities.

Jess McGlynn, Poverty Reductions Manager at Compassion Acts, said: “Without the support of retailers such as Home Bargains, we simply couldn’t do what we do for the local community. A huge thank you from all at the charity and we wish the launch of the Formby store every success.”

The new Formby store will join over 500 outlets across the UK. Opening approximately 50 stores a year, Home Bargains is bucking current trends in the industry.

Graham Wallace, the new Formby store manager, said: “It’s a huge honour to be opening our new Formby store this weekend and something that I’m exceptionally proud of.

“I started my Home Bargains journey back in 2009 at our Kirkby store and have never looked back since. However, helping to launch the new Stephenson Way store will be a huge accomplishment for both myself and my fantastic team.”

The store will offer shoppers a range of products, including homewares, health and beauty essentials, sweets, snacks and drinks, as well as fresh and frozen food. It also boasts its own garden centre – GardenWorld at Home Bargains – that boasts a fantastic range of plants, soils and garden décor at amazing prices.

Graham added: “Stephenson Way will be a great location for us and we’re proud to be able to offer local people top-branded goods at exceptionally low prices.”

With more than five million customers each week, Home Bargains is one of the country’s best-loved discount retailers, stocking top-quality branded goods at low prices: www.homebargains.co.uk.

As all these warehouse style retail outlets are of a similar construction, why does it cost millions to adapt to a new company taking over a store?

I would say a lot of back-hander payments are included in the costs,having these stores built for gross amounts included into the planning etc..The same with the restoration of the Market in Southport town centre,as a company could have completely rebuilt a new one for the cost for the recent refurbishments,and the public NEVER get to see the actual costs or payments for these schemes.

Originally Posted by SteveandLois

I would say a lot of back-hander payments are included in the costs,having these stores built for gross amounts included into the planning etc..The same with the restoration of the Market in Southport town centre,as a company could have completely rebuilt a new one for the cost for the recent refurbishments,and the public NEVER get to see the actual costs or payments for these schemes.

Have you ever costed the refurbishment of one of these £multimillion superstores?
Just curious as to why you would make such a defamatory statement?
I’m fairly sure such bribery payments would show up with their accountants. And who and why are bribes being offered to?

Originally Posted by duncet

As all these warehouse style retail outlets are of a similar construction, why does it cost millions to adapt to a new company taking over a store?

The costs includes by the look of it a new car park, additions to the building, the addition of a garden centre, completely new shop fittings and computer systems, recruitment of new staff and completely filling with stock. Some people on this have evil minds and believe that everyone is on the take

Originally Posted by onehorsetown2

The costs includes by the look of it a new car park, additions to the building, the addition of a garden centre, completely new shop fittings and computer systems, recruitment of new staff and completely filling with stock. Some people on this have evil minds and believe that everyone is on the take

You missed the actual purchase of the site as well. (Even if it's a lease, I doubt it would have been cheap, then there's all the legal fees etc.)

Originally Posted by SteveandLois

I would say a lot of back-hander payments are included in the costs,having these stores built for gross amounts included into the planning etc..The same with the restoration of the Market in Southport town centre,as a company could have completely rebuilt a new one for the cost for the recent refurbishments,and the public NEVER get to see the actual costs or payments for these schemes.

Exactly who gets the backhanders?