A NEW branch of a sofa store will create nine jobs for residents in Christchurch when it opens in the town next month.

DFS, the sofa retailer and manufacturer, will be throwing open the doors and welcoming in customers to the firm on Barrack Road with the help of the Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Fred Neale, on Saturday, September 12.

Tim Ratke, store manager, said that they have received strong interest from the public for the nine jobs on offer, having received 52 applications so far from residents wanting a role with the firm, which has over 100 branches across the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands.

He added that the business aims to become an 'integral part of the community'. "We’re really looking forward to bringing a store to Christchurch. It's a fantastic location and the new store will be a great addition to the local retail landscape."

Danny Bensley, DFS regional sales manager, said: "We’re currently recruiting a great bunch of people from the local community and we’re all looking forward to getting the doors open in September.

"At DFS we know better than anyone that buying the right sofa for you and your home is vital and whatever your taste, budget or style, our new store team will help you make the right choice."

He added that all of the sofas in the Christchurch store are handmade using traditional methods, with many coming from DFS's own woodmills and upholstery factories in Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

The Mayor of Christchurch will be joined by children from a local primary school and staff from the charity, Autism Wessex, for the opening, which will take place at 9am.

Applications are still open for a sales person at the Christchurch branch and details can be found at Dfscareers.co.uk