Business is booming at Middlebrook as four new stores, including a TGI Fridays restaurant, are set to open at the retail park.

Two of the new stores - Card Factory and the region's first Thomas Cook Discovery Store - are due to open by the end of this month.

Card Factory will open on Friday, and Thomas Cook will fly in next week.

The store openings are then set to be followed by food chain TGI Fridays early in 2019 and Tapi Carpets, which is expected to open later this autumn.

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The growing success of the park was underlined this summer by the arrival of Homesense on the first floor of TK Maxx and the opening of the huge Next store back in July.

Robert Hallworth, the park’s director said: “We are extremely excited for the arrival of our new stores.

“Since the launch of the Next superstore in July our teams have been working hard to get the former Next store ready for new retailers to take over and we have secured a good mix of names.”

Mr Hallworth explained: “As the UK’s largest retail and leisure park we are always working hard to pioneer the best shopping experience and offer a strong retail mix and with the completion of the Next superstore we have now expanded to over 65 retailers, still offering free parking and late night opening.”

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Chris Fletcher, marketing and campaigns director at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, which includes Bolton, said: “We’re pleased to hear that more firms are investing in Bolton by opening new stores.

“The news shows that despite the growth of online shopping there is still a demand for physical stores.

“The investment also reflects the results of our latest Quarterly Economic Survey, which showed that, despite warnings and increasing indecision about Brexit, the Greater Manchester economy is still powering forward.”

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Mr Hallworth added: “Thomas Cook is bringing its new discovery store concept, which allows customers to view holidays via virtual reality and the Card Factory will be a great addition for cards and gifts and has been much needed since Birthdays left the retail park.”

“Joining us in the former Next Home unit will be Tapi Carpets, which will be opening around November this year.

“Early 2019 will see the opening of TGI Fridays which is a wonderful anchor tenant to have and has proven popular on our social media sites.”

Kathryn Darbandi, director of retail and customer experience at Thomas Cook, said: “The opening of our latest Discovery Store reflects the changing needs of our customers, and will combine modern technology with face-to face contact from our knowledgeable travel experts. We are delighted to become a part of the Middlebrook Retail Park and look forward to welcoming customers on 19 October.”