THE final two stores at a Christchurch retail park have been confirmed as work begins on the major development.

TK Maxx and Matalan have been revealed as the remaining two retailers to go into the Meteor Retail Park on Somerford Road.

A sign erected outside the development site confirms the other four stores as Aldi, Bathstore, Poundland and Sports Direct, as revealed by the Daily Echo earlier this year.

Work was due to start on the site on Monday, with a target opening of June 2016.

Grange ward councillor, Cllr Denise Jones, said: “I am absolutely delighted that after all the difficulties, setbacks and opposition the project is now properly under way, the eyesore will be removed and that the Somerford Gateway will be worthy of our town.”

Preparatory work began this summer after planning permission for the new six-store complex was granted in May.

The site, which contained the former PC World and Stylesouth stores, has been left derelict over the years, but is set to be transformed by the new development.

Around 150 jobs are set to be created.

During the planning meeting in May, councillors heard more than £2.5 million of earnings would be made from the scheme, ‘reducing spending leaking from Christchurch’.

According to planning agent Matthew Sobic, of Savills, more than 90 per cent of residents travel outside Christchurch for clothing and footwear goods.

Permission for a supermarket already existed for the site, before the six-store plans were submitted.

The development was welcomed by ward councillors and residents, including the Somerford Community Partnership.