EUROPE’S biggest shoe retailer, Deichmann shoes, has opened its new store in Poole.

The new 438 metre square unit was renovated at the town’s Dolphin Shopping Centre at a cost of £500,000 and has created 12 permanent jobs.

Poole store manager Andy Thompson, said: “Following a successful opening, we’re even more excited for the future of our Poole store.

“We are looking forward to getting to know all the local shoppers and hopefully becoming a well-loved fixture on Poole’s High Street.”

Deichmann also opened a new store in Bournemouth town centre last year.

A company spokesman explained: “Like its counterparts, the Poole store benefits from a simple, customer friendly layout, with all the stock available on the shop floor so that customers can easily locate and try on the style and size of their choice.

“To celebrate the opening, Deichmann featured incredible offers for new customers, including free shoes for the stores first 25 customers and limited edition bags for the first 500 customers.”

Deichmann stocks a range of shoes, bags and accessories.

Ahead of the official opening, Dolphin Shopping Centre manager John Grinnell said: "We're delighted they’re joining the line-up of retailers at the Dolphin.

"There is lots to be excited about this year at the Dolphin, as there are several other openings planned for the centre.

"Attracting top brands to the Dolphin like Deichmann is really important to secure the centre’s position as a significant attraction on the south coast for tourists and residents alike. Combined with the improvement works, we are determined to significantly improve the facilities to appeal to all our customers."

The Deichmann brand is more than 100 years old, with stores in 24 countries across the world. It celebrated its 10th anniversary in the UK in 2011, and now has almost 100 stores nationwide.