A national chain of discount stores has confirmed it will be moving into a vacant site at Littlemoor shopping centre in Weymouth.

The community has been without a supermarket since early last year when Budgens closed.

As a weekly community bus is launched to get residents to and from Weymouth supermarkets, Home Bargains said it will be opening a branch at Littlemoor, with work progressing on getting the site ready.

The store does not sell food however – instead specialising in discount deals on homeware, garden accessories and toys.

A spokesman said: “While we can’t confirm an opening date just yet, we are currently recruiting for certain roles and would encourage those interested to head to our careers website for more information."

Ward councillor Ann Weaving welcomed the news, but said a food supermarket would have been more helpful for residents.

She said: “I think a lot of people were hoping for a food supermarket but at least the building will be used again and what they sell will be extremely useful when they open.

“Meanwhile we have now got the community bus for shopping trips into town which I hope people will use. It’s going to be tried for six months and if the support is there I am sure it will continue."

The bus service, organised by the Big4Littlemoor community project, is aimed at older people and those with mobility problems – but could expand depending on the success of a six-month trial.

It was proposed after Budgens.

Big4Littlemoor, the lottery-funded community group, will be running the bus on Wednesdays only – with a morning trip to Asda and an afternoon visit to Morrisons.

It is being operated for the group by Weymouth Community Volunteers which can only take people who have pre-booked on 01305 783999.

For the rest of April the service will be free but after that donations of £2 will be required.

“Spaces are limited. We can only take eight people at a time because we need to leave room for wheelchairs. We also decided to have a helper on the bus who can assist people with their shopping and in getting on and off,” said Big4Littlemoor co-ordinator, Elaine Bateson-Brown.

“For a lot of people, especially those on benefits, having to catch a bus for shopping is the only realistic alternative but with a £4 minimum fare on the scheduled services it can be difficult and, of course, add to the cost of the shopping.”