A NEW Poundland store is opening in Stockton in August as it prepares to play its role in the town’s regeneration.

The store is moving from its existing site in the Castlegate shopping centre to a larger shop on Stockton High Street, formerly occupied by New Look.

The 15 colleagues from the existing store will be joined by 14 new starters.

The move means that Poundland can offer shoppers a wider range of items, including groceries, household goods, health and beauty and family fashion.

Poundland’s investment is a vote of confidence in Stockton and plans for its regeneration. It comes as Stockton Council plans to demolish the 1970s Castlegate centre to radically reshape the town centre over the next five years and create a new riverside park.

Poundland retail director Austin Cooke said: “Many of Britain’s town centres need to change dramatically and we’re determined to be a leading player in a new generation of vibrant high streets where retail, leisure and entertainment sit side-by-side.

“After decades of decline, there’s an opportunity now to breathe new life into our high streets and make them places where people want to shop, dwell and relax and we want to contribute to that vision.

“We love Stockton and we’ve been part of the community for many years. We want to continue to be there for the communities we serve and make a valuable contribution to its long-term future.”

Details of the new store come just days after Poundland announced a large transformation programme which includes refreshing and refurbishing stores, investing in back office technology and pushing ahead with its simple pricing policy across all categories.

Around 300 stores now have a PEP&CO fashion shop-in-shop.

The new Stockton store will offer PEP&CO’s full range of kidswear and clothes for mum and dad. Prices start at £1 and 95 per cent of the range is under £10.