TJ Hughes set to open new store in Middlesbrough town centre

The Northern Echo understands the discount department store will be returning to the town centre in a new location in the Cleveland Centre. 

This comes three years after bosses permanently closed its store in Captain Cook Square ahead of the complex's transformation into a leisure destination. 

The Cleveland Centre, in Middlesbrough (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

It is understood that the opening date for TJ Hughes' new store in Middlesbrough will be between now and the end of the year. 

It is not known where TJ Hughes would be located within the Cleveland Centre, with several larger units currently remaining 'under offer' online. 

The firm currently has three stores across the North East; Hartlepool's Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, at Prince Bishops Shopping Centre in Durham and on Grainger Street in Newcastle city centre. 

Its former Middlesbrough store in Captain Cook Square has since been transformed into go karting and entertainment venue Level X, which opened last year. 

Captain Cook Square remains in the midst of a huge regeneration, recently welcoming the likes of American chain Wendy's, Fun Shack soft play centre and Inflatespace inflatable theme park, and stylish new restaurant Bazaar. 

TJ Hughes previously said it was "extremely saddened" to be closing its Middlesbrough store in 2021, citing the major regeneration scheme as the reason it had to pull out from the town in an announcement "with deep regret".

The former TJ Hughes in Middlesbrough (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

It came just months after the local authority purchased the shopping complex ahead of the redevelopment plans - with its final day in town being on Saturday, June 12. 

Reacting to the closure news at the time, people said they were "really sad" to see TJ Hughes pull out from the town, with one person fearing there would be "nothing left in town at this rate". 

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Since its closure, Middlesbrough town centre has sadly seen several other department stores close, including Marks and Spencer and House of Fraser. 

However, there are several new redevelopment projects in the pipeline - with M&S now under new ownership and plans in place for the former House of Fraser to become a cultural and music hub. 

TJ Hughes has been contacted for comment.