DISCOUNT retailer Poundland will open its second store in Bolton on Thursday.

The firm will welcome customers to its new shop in Burnden Retail Park.

It will open in the site which used to house Poundstretcher.

The shop is in the process of being fitted out, and the firm's branding and signage is already in place.

A sign on the doors of the shop confirmed its opening date as being Thursday.

The new store will accompany its current premises in Victoria Square, making it the second to be located in the town.

Poundland, which has more than 600 shops across the country, also has shops in Bury and Leigh.

Tim McDonnell, retail director at Poundland, said: “Poundland has grown significantly over the past 12 months and it’s fantastic to see this expansion continuing with another new store in Bolton. We’re looking forward to opening our doors.”

Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council, said: “We are always pleased to hear that businesses are investing in Bolton and putting their faith in the town. It is important that we have a range of different shops for our residents and it is a shop that people use and need.

"Given they have already have a successful Poundland store in Bolton town centre, I am sure this new store will prove to be just as successful.”

The move comes as Poundland is continuing its expansion plans by taking over a rival firm, 99p Stores.

The takeover has been provisionally cleared by the Competition and Markets Authority, the competition watchdog, and the plans to rebrand the 99p Stores to its Poundland branding.