TWENTY FIVE new jobs will be created and another 45 safeguarded by the creation of a new £5m community store, if proposals get the go ahead.

TJ Morris, the family-run company which trades as Home Bargains, has submitted plans for the larger, modern store on Manchester Road, Prescot.

The plans, which have been submitted to Knowsley Council jointly with the landowner, Prescot Business Park Limited, also include a garden centre and a new customer car park with more than 120 spaces TJ Morris says it will kick start further regeneration in the south of the town.

It adds that with Home Bargains’ lease on its unit in the Prescot Shopping Centre expiring this year, approving the plans would keep the business in the town.

The company argues the centre “has struggled for many years” and that the limited footfall, poor prominence and constrained layout mean that lease renewal is commercially very unattractive.

Joe Morris, operations director at TJ Morris, said: “As a family-run business based in Merseyside, we’re proud to be bringing forward plans to invest £5 million locally and create new jobs in the area.

“We’ve been trading in Prescot since 1989 and we want to bring customers our expanded, up-to-date offer and create a store which will last for another 25 years.

“The feedback from Prescot residents has been hugely encouraging and we’re now hoping for a positive decision from the council.”