A major discount store is opening at a town centre’s empty Wilko just in time for Christmas.

Poundstretcher will welcome bargain hunters to the large unit in Strood High Street later this month.

The store has been vacant since the company collapsed last year and the budget chain’s boss believes it will be a “great boost” for the town - as well as creating 15 new jobs.

Chief executive Andy Atkinson said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be bringing the much-loved Poundstretcher brand to Strood for the first time.

“Our new store will create up to 15 new full and part-time jobs and will be a great boost for the local High Street.

“Our winning combination of big brands at low prices, combined with our 99p super deals and price cuts, will help attract more shoppers to the town and support customers as the cost of living crisis continues.

“It’s an exciting time for Poundstretcher in the southeast of England with a number of new store openings happening in the coming months, and our team can’t wait to start welcoming customers to Poundstretcher Strood once we open our doors.”

The site has sat empty since Wilko went into administration last September, and the search for staff has caught people’s attention.

Jobs have been advertised on the retail recruitment site, Indeed, including posts for a manager, sales assistant, and key holder.

In January this year, the budget retail giants opened a branch at the former Wilko at Royal Victoria Place shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells.

It has also got a shop in Gillingham High Street, which moved into the old WH Smith last summer.

Poundstretcher was also in the Dockside Outlet Centre in Chatham for six years before moving out.

It will be the third budget outlet in the town with B&M and Poundland on Strood Retail Park.

Established in 1981, Poundstretcher is a British discount retailer which offers food, toiletries, garden essentials, and homeware brands.

Wilko went on the market in January just months after the company went into administration, which resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs.

READ MORE: What has happened at the 15 former Wilko store sites in Kent - and what has been the impact on high streets?

There was hope some of Kent’s stores would remain open after a handful of the shops were missed in the first announcement.

But, the retailer, which had 15 stores across the county, failed to secure emergency funding and all its shops were shut by October.

Some have been taken over by rival retailer B&M, while the Tunbridge Wells unit was snapped up by Poundstretcher.

However, many remain either vacant with no further details or are listed on the market.

Last week, KentOnline revealed a potential buyer has made an undisclosed offer for the former Wilko building in Sittingbourne High Street.

Poundstretcher’s new shop in Strood will open on Thursday, December 19.