MORE than 30 jobs will be created when a new retailer moves in to the former Woolworths shop in Evesham this month.

The new store, called Alworths, will open on Thursday, November 19, once terms have been finalised on the lease with Realis Estates, which asset-manages the Riverside Centre on behalf of owners AXA Real Estate Investment Managers.

Like Woolworths before it, Alworths is a general retailer, stocking a mix of branded toys, sweets, homeware, stationery, seasonal and garden products. It will also offer a large selection of pic ‘n’ mix along with party accessories, cards and wrap and some branded goods.

Alworths has been created by Andy Latham, ex-head of store and concessions development at Woolworths, along with a team of 15 ex-Woolworths colleagues working along side him at their head office in Surrey.

Many Alworth stores are planned nationally in former Woolworths sites.

Mr Latham said: “We’re really excited to be launching in Evesham. This will be our third store and we hope it will be well received by the local community.”

Centre manager Lisa Hopkins said that she welcomed the store’s arrival, which could be the first of many. She said: “We look forward to welcoming Alworths to the Riverside and I’m sure our customers will too.

“Their arrival is great news for the centre and for the rest of Evesham as we all prepare for what will hopefully be a busy run up to Christmas.

“We are continuing to talk to other store operators and are optimistic that this will be the first of a number of new lettings at the centre.”