The announcement a discount fashion store will create 50 jobs in the town when it opens next month has been described as “excellent news” for Keighley.

TK Maxx will open a new branch in the former JJB Sports unit at Keighley Retail Park on September 19.

Once it is open, it will mean the retail park, which has suffered from several high-profile closures in the past 12 months, will once again be fully occupied.

The 14,954 sq ft unit had been empty since the sports chain closed its doors in September.

The closure of furniture store Dreams, JJB and electronics retailer Comet, all within a few months of each other, had left the prominent retail park in Hard Ings Road with three of its eight shops empty.

But it has bounced back since June, when Pets At Home moved into the Comet store, creating nine jobs. It brought with it Companion Care vets, and an additional seven jobs. Earlier this month, Poundstretcher moved into the former Dreams building, creating 17 jobs.

TK Maxx spokesman Helen Gunter said they were “very excited” to be moving into the town.

Lord Mayor of Bradford and Keighley Centralo Ward councillor Khadim Hussain said 50 news jobs in the town was “fantastic” news.

He added: “This is excellent. We are working with employers to create more jobs. Because we have a high number of young people we have a lot of unemployment, so news like this is fantastic.

“It is something we need to build on. Keighley has a lot of potential, and big companies obviously see that. We’re the gateway to the Dales, so Keighley is ideal for attracting shoppers. We are moving in the right direction.”

Airedale Partnership has been working towards the economic regeneration of the area, and members were happy the prominent retail site was now filled.

Partnership member Mick Milner said: “It is great to see a new business coming to the town, and creating 50 retail jobs is excellent news.

“It makes it even more important we sort out our road network because this will probably generate more traffic that needs managing.

“But it can only be a good thing for Keighley, especially if it brings more shoppers to the town from other areas. What you don’t want is empty units.

“This shows Keighley can stand on its own against any other part of the Leeds City Region.”