A LEADING department store is believed to be in talks to take over the running of the troubled North-East retail site.

The move could prove to be a massive jobs boost for Hartlepool in the build up to Christmas after discount designer outlet Jacksons Landing closed two months ago with the loss of 60 jobs.

Newcastle department store Fenwick's is thought to want to open a shop selling discounted lines.

No one from the privately-owned business has confirmed the news, but Peter Harriman, estates manager for the Stockton Mandale Group, which owns Hartlepool Marina, has spoken about the latest development.

He said: "Over the past two to three months people from Fenwick's have been down in discussions with us. The beauty about it is that the store is ready to move in."

Jacksons Landing has had a troubled existence since it was built as part of the £200m redevelopment of Hartlepool Marina in the mid 1990s.

Originally a factory outlet centre, it failed to attract enough customers to make it a sustainable business and was converted to a single store last year.

Fenwick's is understood to be launching its new store with a fireworks extravaganza on November 5 and should open to the public later in the month.

The family-run business, founded by John J Fenwick in 1882, is believed to have signed a 25-year lease on the site.