BUDGET fashion brand PEP&CO has confirmed the opening date of their new shared store in the former BHS site.

PEP&CO has teamed up with Poundland to create the new "shop in shop" branch, housed inside Church Square Shopping Centre. It will open on Thursday, March 23.

The store offering a full range of women's, men's and kids' fashion will open inside sister company Poundland at the new location after its move from the Church Street site, formerly Woolworths.

The store will offer full ranges from both PEP&CO and Poundland, and will be fashion brand's 86th nationwide shop.

The opening of budget chains have been the subject of scorn from some Star readers, who have labelled St Helens "pound town" in recent years but there is a belief among retailers that PEP&Co could help boost sliding footfall in the town centre and shopping centre.

Adrian Mountford, managing director at PEP&CO said: “We might be a new brand, but we’re one that customers love once they find us.

“By bringing PEP&CO to Poundland in St Helens, we’re giving people access to the brand much more rapidly than we could on our own.

“The combination of PEP&CO’s design and style credentials, with pricing that’s amazing, will help create a brand new option that helps mums on a budget.”