WARRINGTON’S former Marks and Spencer store is set to be brought back into use through a new retailer moving in.

Joseph James Furniture Outlet says it is delighted to announce that it will be opening its new Warrington store in the New Year.

It has signed up to move into the former M&S unit in Golden Square Shopping Centre, located on Sankey Street.

The 80,000 square foot shop has remained largely vacant since it closed in summer 2017, with M&S operating from its huge Gemini superstore

An unnamed high street giant was rumoured to be close to agreeing a deal to take on the site in 2019, but the move never came to fruition.

Now, Joseph James has confirmed that it will move into the unit, which will become its fourth store after St Helens, Stockport, and Stretford.

The outlet store is set to open on February 7 following the completion of an ‘extensive refurbishment’.

The business is owned by 24-year-old pair Joseph Shenton and James Pullen, with the school friends opening their first store in Stockport in 2019.

They sought a new store in Warrington to expand the business’ customer base and ‘continue the mission to be the first nationally recognised furniture outlet’.

A company spokesman said: “Joseph James’s model of selling branded clearance furniture – sofas, beds, mattresses, and dining furniture – requires a large space for any showroom.

Joseph James Furniture Outlet founders Joseph Shenton and James Pullen

“We have been referred to as the ‘TK Maxx of furniture’, due to our similar model of offering discounted stock from big brands and our daily changes of inventory in-store.

“This new Warrington site, at any one time, will have for sale approximately 300 sofas, 50 chairs, 50 beds, 65 mattresses, 50 dining tables, and 50 sets of dining chairs.

“All of these items will be available for immediate free delivery and will be sold for approximately 30 per cent to 70 per cent off their retail price.

“Joseph James continues to breathe life into large retail stores on the British high street.”

The firm’s Stockport showroom was previously a Debenhams store, and the St Helens venue was previously a Wilko store.

“We enjoy the challenge of reinvigorating the colossal sites left behind by these former British giants,” the spokesman added.

“Seven years is far too long for a landmark large retail building to be left vacant in a town centre.

“We take great pride in being part of Warrington’s regeneration of its town centre with this special building.

“There will be between 15 and 20 jobs created as a result of this opening, and we look forward to commencing our recruitment over the next couple of weeks.”

The store is set to be open from 9.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday, as well as 11am to 5pm on Sundays.