THE long-awaited TK Maxx store in a Hampshire city will create 32 new jobs.

The high street fashion chain, which is set to throw open its doors next month in Winchester, is taking over a unit on the top floor of The Brooks Shopping Centre.

Spanning 1,437 sq metres, the new shop will offer big labels for discounted prices.

A TK Maxx spokesman said: "We’re delighted to be opening a brand new store in Winchester.

"We can’t wait for shoppers to walk through our doors and discover their own treasures. You never know what you might find.

"Pop by often, as there will always be exciting new designer finds and one-off gems for less every time you visit."

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony and flower presentation for the first customer on the opening day of Thursday, March 8 at 9am.

The opening date for the brand was announced after months of work to get the store ready.

Its arrival forms part of a £1 million revamp at The Brooks to boost its appeal to shoppers currently underway.

The shopping centre is currently home to shops including Primark, New Look, Waterstone’s, HMV and The Entertainer.

But it also has several long-term empty units and has only been fully let for around a year since its opening in 1991.

Ilan Goldman, Catalyst Capital, the owners of the Brooks, added:  “We are delighted to be welcoming TK Maxx as a new anchor tenant to The Brooks Shopping Centre.

"The significant investment and ongoing refurbishment works at the Centre clearly has and will continue to attract fantastic brands to Winchester; T K Maxx is a monumental and exciting brand to have at the scheme. We are looking forward to the store opening its doors this March and wish them every success.”