A HAMPSHIRE town has been given a double business boost after plans to develop new stores and create nearly 100 jobs were approved.

A joint £4M TK Maxx and HomeSense store in Hedge End – the first of its kind in the UK – was given the green light by planners, along with a new Pets at Home shop at Hedge End Retail Park.

Retailer TJX Europe says the TK Maxx and HomeSense store, due to be built at Tollbar Way, will create about 70 jobs, including 47 full-time posts.

The Pets at Home shop will employ about 25 full-time staff and will be constructed on what is currently a car park for nearby premises including Homebase, Currys and PC World.

Both plans were first revealed by the Daily Echo in November.

Jonathan Doyle, representing TJX Europe, said: “We have only got one other store of its kind in the UK and that’s in Edinburgh, so it’ll be the first in England.

“We are looking to roll out in the UK using a successful format |like this like in America and the payroll will be about £11Mn over 15 years.

“We want to progress people’s careers and give them opportunities.”

The TK Maxx and HomeSense store will be about 3,500 square metres and will be divided into two sections, making it the first of its kind in the country.

TK Maxx sells discount fashion items, while HomeSense offers branded homeware and gifts.

The Daily Echo understands that developers hope the store could be open within a year and they have stressed that it will not affect their other TK Maxx outlets in Southampton, Eastleigh and Fareham.

A condition of the application being approved was that the Eastleigh town centre shop will be kept open until at least 2021.

The site was originally used by Wickes, which relocated to a site in Manaton Way last year. Friends Life Ltd, which currently owns the site, has an agreement for TJX Europe to take a lease now that the application has been granted.

Cllr Bruce Tennent, a member of Eastleigh Council’s Hedge End, West End and Botley Local Area Committee, said: “I wish the applicants every success because this site has been difficult because of its shape and size. I shall be supporting this.”

Daily Echo:

Cllr Bruce Tennent

An original application for the Pets at Home store was refused after objections were raised regarding the choice of site, the lack of road improvements around the store, and impact on existing businesses.

The shop will sell items including pet supplies, foods, toys and accessories.

Concerns were again raised regarding heavy goods vehicle and delivery times but the panel voted seven to three in favour of the proposals.

Cllr Jane Welsh, the deputy mayor, said: “I suppose people will welcome the store, which is a really good store, but I’m not sure it’s in the right place.

“Even with conditions I do not think this will work. At very busy times it really is a problem now, and I think it will be even worse.”

Daily Echo:

Cllr Jane Welsh

Cllr Mick Wheatley agreed, adding: “I think we will find that there will be a problem.”

There are already Pets at Home stores at Channon Retail Park in Eastleigh and the Shirley Retail Park in Southampton, as well as a shop in Segensworth.