This weekend is a big one for bargain hunters – and a Hampshire charity – as a discount retailer will open in Alton.

The doors of the £1million Home Bargains store on Mill Lane Retail Park will open at 8am this Saturday, May 18.

Some 45 jobs have been created at the store while the retailer will mark the launch by donating £2,000 to Mountbatten Hampshire Hospice.

Home Bargains is a growing retailer that boasts more than 600 outlets across the UK and an aspiration to open 50 more each year.

The 12,981 sq. ft. store will offer shoppers a range of products from food and homeware to health and beauty essentials.

“I am excited to be opening a new Home Bargains store in Alton and I’m also proud that we can support the local community by creating 45 new jobs,” said the inaugural manager, Mike Morris.

“I love that within my role I can assist in my team’s continuous progression. Working at Home Bargains, I get to appreciate the friendly work environment, the constant opportunities for growth and development, and the chance to interact with customers.”

He added: “Please come along for opening day, this Saturday, to see the fantastic ranges we have to offer for both food and non-food products.”

Home Bargains is the last in a triumvirate of stores to open this year on Mill Lane Retail Park as Lidl and Costa Coffee welcomed their first visitors in February and March, respectively.

There’s more good news for East Hampshire shoppers as a similar discount retailer is moving into an empty store in Bordon.

B&M have confirmed their Forest Centre branch will open on June 29 with the retailer moving into the large space previously occupied by Wilko in a positive development for the town and district.