A MAJOR chain store has opened its second new store in Hampshire within a week.

Fareham mayor Councillor Mike Ford cut the ribbon at Matalan’s new branch in Collingwood Retail Park.

The new 24,699sqft store, in the former Go Bowling premises, will create more than 35 new jobs, says the company.

Last week Matalan returned to Southampton when it opened at West Quay Retail Park in premises vacated by Staples.

Matalan, which has more than 200 outlets in the UK, closed its store in the Marlands in Southampton in 2014, after deciding not to renew the lease.

Many of the staff, including manager Jenny Barnes, have been re-employed at the West Quay shop.

Both new shops stock a wide range of goods from affordable fashion to homeware, Matalan says it is still recruiting for both new stores. Details are at matalan.co.uk.