Forty much-needed jobs will be created when a new hardware store opens in The Harlequin shopping centre in December.
Swedish-based Clas Ohlson is to open its latest branch in the location previously occupied by Zavvi and Virgin Megastore.
There were 450 applicants for the new positions, a clear indicator of the value of jobs during the economic slump.
As an added bonus, the new recruits will be flown out to Sweden for a week of training at the store's headquarters on Monday.
UK managing director Mark Gregory said: “What makes us different is our investment in customer service.
"Our co-workers are our most important asset; our value lies in our customer service.
"We invest in each member of staff and as a result have an excellent staff retention rate – particularly for the retail sector."
The multi-purpose store sells a range of products from electrical and multi-media, to household, leisure and gardening equipment.
Entry into the UK market has been planned for several years and the chain has more than 100 stores across Sweden, Finland and Norway.
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