A FRESH start is ahead for the former Co-op store in Padiham under the direction of a new arrival from Yorkshire.

Scarborough-based retailer Boyes is set to reopen the Burnley Road building this Friday creating 30 new jobs. The store will offer 16 departments, ranging from homeware and garden accessories to clothing.

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The old Co-op has been empty since bosses decided to pull the plug there in June 2014, only a year-and-a-half after the Tesco store opposite had opened for business.

Under their new approach, the entrance has been turned around to face the rear car park, where the old front doors used to look out onto Burnley Road. This was the subject of a recent planning application. County highways officers had initially voiced some concerns about deliveries to the new store, as trucks would have to cross a large portion of the car park.

But borough planning officials, after confirming with the company that all such deliveries would take place outside of trading hours, were satisfied with that arrangement and approved the plans.

Company director Kevin Boyes confirmed that the venture would create 30 new posts, four full-time and 26 part-time, with the premises opening from 9am to 5.30pm Mondays to Saturdays and 10.30pm to 4.30pm on Sundays.

Cllr Jean Cunningham, Mayor of Padiham, said: “This should bring more trade to the town and create new jobs, once it opens.” And with the former Blockbuster store, on the further bank of the River Calder, now home to Taurus Interiors, there are signs the market town is battling back from the Boxing Day floods.

The Lancashire Telegraph revealed last month how a £9.5million bid is being drawn up, with the possible assistance of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, to bolster the town’s flood defences and breathe new life into the centre, former Baxi site and Shuttleworth Mead.

Cllr Andy Tatchell, who represents Gawthorpe ward, said: “This shows the potential that Padiham has for jobs and investment.”