ONE of the biggest fashion retailers in the country is coming back to Bolton.

A new Topshop and Topman clothing store is set to open up in the Market Place Shopping Centre in September, it has been revealed.

The retail giant — owned by the Arcadia Group — had a presence in the shopping centre until 2013 when both stores closed down.

However, with the significant investment being pumped into the centre by owners Moorgarth — including a new cinema and eating and drinking venues — Arcadia bosses have decided to bring its brands back to Bolton.

Craig McGregor, retail director at Topshop said: "We are delighted to be opening a new Topshop and Topman store in The Market Place Shopping Centre in Bolton.

“We look forward to bringing the brand's unique take on fashion and style to the local customer."

The new stores will take over a combination of four units, covering two floors of the centre.

These will include two ground floor units next to the Pandora jewellery shop and two first floor units next to Warehouse.

The firm was unable to confirm what the move will mean in terms of jobs, with more details to be confirmed closer to the September opening.

Topshop is the latest big name to announce plans to open in the revitalised Market Place and joins the likes of Scotts, New Look and Bodyshop.

Centre manager Nikki-Wilson Cook said the arrival of Topshop is a significant one.

She said: “As fashion retailers go it is up there with the biggest and we are absolutely delighted that they have decided to come to the centre.

“I also know that they are investing considerable money into the shop fit and how it will look and feel for customers.

“The centre is in a very different place to where it was a few years ago and big announcements like this keep that momentum going.”

The news has also been welcomed by Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for Regeneration, Cllr Ebrahim Adia, who said: “We’re really pleased that Topshop and Topman are coming back to Bolton. These are big names returning to the town and it shows our town centre strategy is working.”

Another retailer which has confirmed it will be opening in the Market Place is Australian stationary outfit Smiggle.

The growing business will open its 60th UK store in a vacant unit between River Island and New Look on June 10.

The Aussie group — which professes to offer “original, fun and affordable stationery” — will create eight jobs in its brightly coloured new Bolton store.

Managing Director John Cheston, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening our 60th Store here in Bolton. There really is nothing like Smiggle anywhere else on the high street – and it will be great to see the public’s reaction when the doors open on the 10th.”