Staff at a returning favourite retailer are “delighted to be back” and already proving popular with shoppers in Middlesbrough.
TJ Hughes reopened in the town centre last month with a new store in the Cleveland Centre, three years after closing its original premises.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke met store manager Matt Philpot and staff this week to welcome them back.
“It’s fantastic to see TJ Hughes back in Middlesbrough and to hear that business has been strong since it opened its doors,” said Mayor Cooke.
“Our aim is for a busy and thriving town centre, and bringing well-known retail brands back is one way we can achieve that.
“Shopping is an important part of a successful town centre – but my vision is that we offer something for everyone with good housing, a mix of jobs, first class education and convenient health facilities alongside our rapidly growing leisure offer.
“The more people who come and support the town centre, the stronger the case we can make to bring more retailers to town.”
Matt Philpot, TJ Hughes store manager, said: “We’re delighted to be back in Middlesbrough.
“We’ve had a great response from customers who’ve told us they’ve missed us and are glad we’ve reopened.
“Middlesbrough was always one of the company’s most popular locations, and that hasn’t changed – a lot of customers moved with us to different stores in the region when our original Middlesbrough location closed.
“I’m a Middlesbrough lad, and TJ Hughes has a long history in the town, so personally I’m really happy that we’re back.”
The store continues to offer customers a wide range of discount products including clothing, home appliances and items for the garden after its move into the former H&M unit in the council-owned shopping centre.
TJ Hughes had previously operated in Captain Cook Square, in the unit now taken up by family entertainment centre Level X as the former shopping centre continues its transformation to a regional leisure destination.