A POPULAR bargain chain has opened "bigger and better" stores today after a series of closures that disappointed shoppers.
B&M promised a series of new outlets and began welcoming in customers today, on the August bank holiday weekend.
Many major retail firms have been closing hundreds of shops between them this year.
But there are some signs of hope with new openings.
Discount chain B&M closed seven of its branches earlier this year.
These included its Bishop Auckland shop in County Durham on May 5, followed by a Burnden Retail Park store in Bolton 19 days later.
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These closures came after the firm also took the axe to outlets in Bristol, Stockton in County Durham, Newport in Wales, Belfast in Northern Ireland and Kilmarnock in Scotland.
But B&M also announced plans to open new shops, while relocating or revamping others.
A Glasgow branch was relaunched today while a new site in Reading, Berkshire, promising a bigger selection of bargains opens on Monday.
The company says the new Reading outlet will boast its own 7,395sqft garden centre selling hundreds of plants and products.
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Other new stores on the way include ones opening in Liverpool on September 9, in both Stockton and in Eastbourne in East Sussex five days later and in Hinckley, Leicestershire, on September 23.
More are due to follow in Wigan, Lancashire, on September 29 and then in Newbury in Berkshire on October, with a relaunched store in Gateshead in Tyne and Wear promised for October 28.
More discount retailers are planning expansions too, with Poundland recently announcing 15 new stores across Britain.
Meanwhile, Poundstretcher vowed to provide 50 more shops on the high street by the end of this year.
And TX Maxx is reportedly also searching for new locations.
The openings come as other shopping chains have been downsizing.
Wilko announced this month the firm was going into administration, putting in dangers its 400 stores and 12,500 jobs.
Rivals including Poundland and B&M have reportedly been in talks about buying some of Wilko's shops.
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Food and pub chains have also suffered this year, with companies such as Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's shutting venues.
But bakery chain Greggs is opening 150 new sites this year.
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