Fashion and homeware retailer TK Maxx will move into Workington.
The chain has signed a 15-year lease for some of the town’s former Debenhams store and work is underway to convert part of the Washington Square unit.
It will take over 22,500 sq ft of the former department store. It is not known what will happen with the rest of the building.
The former Debenhams store has been vacant since the company folded in 2021.
Washington Square opened in 2006 as the result of a £50 million regeneration project, replacing St John’s Precinct.
Sovereign Centros acted on behalf of Savills directors and joint fixed charge receivers Kevin Marsh and Matthew Nagle.
Jack Gordon, senior asset manager at Sovereign Centros, said: “We have now brought in five new retailers and agreed 17 lease extensions at Washington Square since the pandemic.
“For an international brand such as TK Maxx to commit to Workington is tremendous news for the region and will increase footfall in the town, as well as creating jobs.
“We have had good success in diversifying the occupier mix with new food and beverage offers and we are now looking to increase the leisure provision.”
It will be TK Maxx’s third branch in Cumbria. It already has stores in Carlisle and Kendal.
Founded in the USA in 1976, TK Maxx is owned by US-based TJX Companies. TK Maxx opened its first UK store in Bristol in 1994. TK Maxx stocks branded men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, footwear, lingerie and accessories, as well as homeware, luggage and toys at discounted prices.
