A NEW discount store is set to open in the former Homebase unit on Foss Island Retail Park later this year.

B&M have announced they will open their new branch on September 14 at 9am.

The retailer already has a store at Clifton Moor Retail Park and will employ 50 new members of staff at the city centre branch.

Homebase announced in February that it would be closing stores across the country and the branch on Foss Island Retail Park shut for good on July 4.

City of York Council leader Ian Gillies described the news at the time as "a blow to York's retail offer," and shoppers expressed disappointment at news of the closure.

But the site was quickly snapped up by B&M.

A spokesman for the company said they will now give the unit a full internal and external makeover before the new branch opens later this year.

They said: “We’re feeling really positive about the creation of even more jobs for local people and we hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store.

“We are all really excited to get the doors open and welcome our new customers through the door in a September.”

The shop will sell a range of branded products such as fresh and frozen food, toys, pet products, health and beauty items and homewares.

The company has also applied to City of York Council for a licence to sell alcohol between the hours of 7am and 10pm, Monday to Sunday, and for the open hours to be from 7am to 10pm, seven days a week.

B&M currently has more than 570 outlets on high streets and retail parks across the UK.