MAJOR fashion retailer TK Maxx is set to open a new store in Weymouth town centre before Christmas.

Work is currently being carried out to re-fit the former Woolworths store in New Bond Street.

TK Maxx is currently advertising for a store manager, assistant manager and team leader to work in the new store in Weymouth.

The job description for the store manager says the ideal candidate should be able to ‘effectively and efficiently manage and lead the store in order to maximise sales and profits and minimise costs.’ The nearest TK Maxx to Weymouth is in Poole.

James Merrett, the associate partner for real estate brokers Cushman and Wakefield who is dealing with Weymouth’s Woolworths site, confirmed that the property is currently under offer to ‘a fashion retailer’ but would not confirm a name.

He said: “No contracts have been formally exchanged yet so I can’t really say any names at present.

“Paperwork will be exchanged between the Weymouth property’s landlord and prospective tenant this week and should be signed soon.

“I think the fact that a retailer advertises job positions speaks volumes, even though no legal contract has been exchanged between landlord and tenant yet.”

The president of Weymouth and Portland’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Nigel Reed, said: “I do know that officials from TK Maxx have been to look at the Woolworths site twice.

“I’ve heard that now work is under way there that they may intend to move in before Christmas.”

He added: “It would be an excellent move for the town.

“For Weymouth, losing Woolworths created a big gap in the shopping centre and to have a retailer like TK Maxx move in would be very good news.”

Mr Reed said that if the old Woolworths site was reopened on both its ground and first floor that it could create up to 30 new retail jobs in the town.

Commercial property agent Jan Merriot, who co-owns Dorchester-based Bartle Pye Commercial, said TK Maxx moving to Weymouth could only be good for the town.

He said: “TK Maxx is the kind of retailer that draws people from much further afield to its stores. Bringing those extra people to the town means there will be more people going for coffee or a meal after shopping or even going into other stores.

“TK Maxx is the kind of high-calibre retailer that will boost the numbers visiting Weymouth to do their shopping.”

No-one from the company was available for comment.