OPENING dates have been confirmed for two major new stores in a revamped shopping centre.

TK Maxx and Marks & Spencer have both revealed further details about their new Didcot branches, which are moving into the Orchard Centre after its £50million redevelopment.

Both will open their doors for the first time on Thursday, March, 22.

Marks & Spencer has confirmed it will go ahead with its new Didcot store despite announcing it was scaling back food hall openings from 200 to 36 after poor Christmas sales.

But the chain’s commitment to a new shop in Seacourt Retail Park has still not been revealed.

The 1,020 sq m Didcot store will sell food and drink products and feature a 48-seat cafe.

An Easter-themed launch will see the shop sell a new range of hot cross buns and Easter eggs.

It will be open from 8am until 8pm, Monday – Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

Some 50 new jobs have been created.

Store manager, Matt Eastgate, said: “My team and I are really excited to reveal our opening date and can’t wait to show the community what we’ve been working on.

“We’re counting down the days and once we’re open we’ll be ensuring we put our customers at the heart of everything we do.”

“We’ll be opening just in time for Easter so our customers can find the perfect chocolatey treats for their loved ones."

A further 40 jobs will be created by the new 1,400 sq m TK Maxx.

The discount retailer is promising designer labels at up to 60 per cent off retail price with thousands of new items set to be delivered to the store every week.

Both stores are seen as flagship offerings for the new wing of the Orchard Centre, which has expanded to feature 28 new shops, restaurants and cafes.

It is seen as a key part of the expansion of the town, providing more places to shop for some of the tens of thousands of new people expected to move in, but more than two thirds of stores are still not let ahead of the opening.