A DISCOUNT supermarket is poised to open a second branch in Walkden in a space once briefly considered for a cinema.

North West budget goods chain Quality Save is lined up to take over the vacant former Club 3000 bingo hall in New Ellesmere Approach in Walkden town centre but landlord Derwent Estates first needs Salford Council to approve a conversion of the building from leisure to retail.

Mark Aylward, a planning consultant acting for Derwent Estates, said: "The current [planning] application for the reconfiguration of the unit to allow anchor occupation by a retailer (Quality Save) is yet to be approved but we are very hopeful that it will be supported by the council in due course.

"Derwent did have discussions with a cinema operator and an application was lodged in March to reconfigure the units accordingly.

"The application was not made valid, and in the interim period tenant interest changed and Quality Save will instead take the anchor unit."

It is understood Quality Save will continue to trade from its smaller unit in nearby Ellesmere Shopping Centre if and when it opens the larger store, creating 50 jobs.