PLANS have moved forward for the new TK Maxx store in Workington, as permission has been granted for new advertising signs on the town centre building.

In January, the Times & Star exclusively revealed that a new TK Maxx store will open in Workington this summer - with the company signing a 15-year lease for a new 22,500 sq ft store in the former Debenhams building in Washington Square.

An application for advertisement consent was submitted to Cumberland Council on April 13 and granted on Monday, May 22.

The application has been submitted for two fascia signs, three projecting signs and one other to bring the new TK Maxx branding to Workington town centre.

The application form said the sign would consist of a TK Maxx vertical double sided Hong Kong-type banner to replace existing supports.

Work to convert the space to meet TK Maxx’s requirements began in January, enabling the remaining areas of the three-storey building to be used for leisure, civic or other retail uses.

Work has been ongoing at the store since January, with external works taking place over the past few months to pressure wash the unit.

It is understood that the new store will open in August, with recruitment currently underway for retail positions in the new store.

Speaking in January, when the news about TK Maxx was announced, Cumberland council leader Mark Fryer said: “A national chain of that ilk can only be good news for the town.

"This is about jobs and trying to reinvigorate the town centre, which is extremely difficult in the current economic circumstances and the way people are shopping online.

“This should have a pretty significant impact and I sincerely hope it does - chains like TK Maxx bring in others to trade alongside side, this should be positive, it should be viewed as positive, and I wish them every success.”