Nearly a year after it closed for the last time, the former Woolworth's store is ready for a new lease of life with national value fashion retailer Peacocks set to open for business in the town next week.

FELIXSTOWE: Nearly a year after it closed for the last time, the former Woolworth's store is ready for a new lease of life with national value fashion retailer Peacocks set to open for business in the town next week.

Peacocks has created 16 new jobs at the Hamilton Road store - the second former Woolies branch it has moved into in Suffolk following the collapse of the iconic firm last year.

In September Peacocks filled the gap left by Woolworths in Market Place, Stowmarket, creating 17 new posts.

It had been hoped to open the Felixstowe branch at around the same time but the conversion fell behind schedule.

Now, however, the store is gearing up ready to open on Thursday, October 22. It will carry ladies', men's and children's lines, so plugging part of the gap in the market left by Woolworths, itself well-known for its children's clothing.

Store manager Yvonne Markwell said: “We're delighted to be opening our new store in Felixstowe, offering customers the latest looks at fantastic value.

“With fashion changing so quickly it can be a challenge to keep on top of the style treadmill, but with over 30 new lines landing in our new store each week it should be easier for customers to step out in the latest fashion at fantastic value.”

The history of Peacocks dates from 1884 when Albert Frank Peacock began trading in Warrington as Peacock's Penny Bazaars.

It has expanded rapidly since the early 1990s, notably with the acquisition of the Bon Marche chain in 2002. Having floated on the stock market in 1999, two year's after it was acquired by a management buyout team, it was taken private in 2006.

It now has more than 500 stores across the UK -including Ipswich and Woodbridge.

The Woolworths name was acquired by Shop Direct Home Shopping and now operates as an online-only brand, including Ladybird clothing and its legendary pick n mix confectionery.