A NEW town centre discount store is to provide a major boost for Bolton.

More than 50 jobs will be created when TK Maxx moves into The Gates shopping centre.

And town centre bosses hope it will be the catalyst for increased investment by other retailers.

The 18,000 square feet store will open on May 2. It is one of 25 due to open in the UK this year. Currently, the nearest TK Maxx stores -- which offer clothes at up to 60 per cent discount -- are located in Bury and Manchester.

The jobs will be full and part-time on permanent and temporary contracts. Employees will be paid up to £4.40 per hour.

Cathy Savage, marketing manager of the Bolton Town Centre Company, said: "We are obviously delighted that such a big name is coming to Bolton. It can only be a good thing and we hope it will prove to be a catalyst for greater investment in the future."

The store has been widely welcomed at a time when several of Bolton town centre's retail units lie empty following the loss of established businesses.

The biggest casualty was Whiteheads -- which has now been turned into The Goose pub. But other outlets, including the Virgin Megastore in the Market Place have also disappeared. At the same time, Bolton has been hit by competition from a revitalised Manchester, the Trafford Centre and the Designer Outlet @ The Lowry.

But there has been good news.

Sainsbury's is to create 200 new jobs by moving to a Bolton town centre site on Crook Street, double the size of its existing store.

Nightlife has also been boosted by new pubs and plans for major new developments including one on the site of the former ABC Cinema on Bradshawgate that will include restaurants and alternative food outlets.

Mrs Savage said: "The town centre company is looking to improve the look of the town centre and we are here to address the day and night time economy. Our aim is to attract all types of business."

The first UK TK Maxx opened in 1994. There are 1,500 stores in America with a further 100 in Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

A spokesman for TK Maxx said: "Bolton is a thriving, growing town with a good shopping base and it is for that reason we decided to locate there."