A SHOPPING centre in a once-ailing town is now 95 per cent occupied after the opening of a new outlet thanks to a business rate discount scheme.

That’s Entertainment has officially opened in the Castlegate Centre in Stockton, the 30th in the chain to open in the country.

It is next door to Wilko and means the shopping centre is almost at capacity.

Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and transport, Councillor Nigel Cooke, said: “It is fantastic that another national chain has chosen to open in Stockton Town Centre.

“That’s Entertainment will complement our existing big brand names as well as our growing number of high quality independent traders.”

The store, which is part of the musicMagpie group, employs ten full and part-time staff, selling music, film, games, books and electronics, both new, and as part of their extensive refurbished Replay range, with an emphasis on price.

Acting Castlegate Centre Manager, Tracey Surtees, said: “This further widens the diversity of shops in both the centre and in the town. We would like to wish them great success for the future.”

Business rate discounts of 50 per cent for up to two years are available to businesses that occupy and trade from a vacant unit within Stockton town centre.