The name of the retailer moving into the empty Next store in Folkestone has been revealed.

Choice Discount Stores is set to open in Bouverie Place next month 2018.

The news comes as Next staff from the Folkestone store moved over to Dover to work at a new store which opened today.

Choice will take over the 10,000 sq ft. store at 7- 9 Alexandra Gardens.

Next announced their departure from the site last month. They had been there since the shopping centre opened in November 2007.

All 24 employees from Next kept their jobs by moving into the £53 million St James' retail and leisure development off Woolcomber Street in Dover.

They were joined by seven new colleagues.

Sales manager Lauren Firmager, 24, moved from Folkestone having been in the company for eight years.

She said: "We had lots of positions available in Dover so people got the option. They could change their contracts or move over as they were.

"It's been a long process but we're so excited that we are here now."

The opening hours for the new Choice store will be 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 6pm on Saturdays and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

Neil Donovan, Director at Choice said: "We are incredibly excited to be opening in Folkestone this August.
"The new store will offer our customers a huge range of products at great prices and a fantastic shopping experience."

The brand has two stores already in Kent in Chatham and Tonbridge.

The two-floor site will sell men’s, women’s and children's clothes as well as home accessories and furniture.

All items will have up to 70% off the original RRP, including a range of well-known labels such as Next, Lipsy, Citizen Watches, Kickers and Dolcis.

Choice was founded in 1966 and sells high street fashion, accessories and home brands at prices up to 70% less than the RRP.

Their Brand portfolio includes Next, Lipsy, Citizen, Kickers, Dolcis, Christy and Turner-Bianca.

The company currently employs over 500 staff within 20 store locations, its store support office and distribution centre.

The new Folkestone store will bring their total number of stores to 21.

The company say they 'hold an established partnership with Next plc and have done for over 25 years'.

Choice will open on Saturday, August 11, and will create 28 new jobs.

The store will celebrate with an event the week after opening on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 August.

Customers will be given goody bags, and there will be competitions and children's entertainment.