Home Bargains to create 50 jobs at new Park Gate store

Home Bargains is set to open in Southampton Retail Park, Park Gate on Saturday.

A minion from the film Despicable Me will be at the store to greet shoppers from 11am.

The store, off Southampton Road, will be in Unit A, next to Pets At Home, Carpetright and B&Q.

Joe Morris, operations director at Home Bargains, said: ‘We’re thrilled to be launching our first store in Fareham and look forward to welcoming new customers through the doors.

‘Southampton Retail Park will be a great location for us and we’re proud to be able to offer local people top-branded goods at exceptionally low prices.’

The nearest other Home Bargains stores in the Portsmouth area are at Wellington Retail Park in Waterlooville and Channon Retail Park, Eastleigh.

Councillor Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council, said the opening was a ‘big boost’ to the area.

He said: ‘It is fantastic news that Home Bargains are coming to Fareham.

‘Their stores are great and after recently visiting one of them, I can say that this shop will be a big boost for shoppers in Fareham.

‘I am delighted that they are opening and I’m sure the borough’s shoppers will be going to check the new store out.

‘Any business that creates that number of jobs is good as it provides support to local people. We’re very happy to have them open here.’

The 16,000 sq ft unit will offer shoppers a range of branded products, including homeware, health and beauty essentials, sweets, snacks and drinks.

The company continues to expand around the country, with various stores opening in the past few weeks as the retailer bids to have a total of 800 across the UK.

It has just over 400 at the moment.

The retail park at Park Gate is also home to Currys PC World, Halfords, Argos, Carpet Barn, Dunelm and Smyths Toys.