THE former Boscombe branch of Peacocks is re-opening as an Edinburgh Woollen Mill today.

The jobs of nine former staff at the Sovereign Centre’s branch have been saved after a surprise reprieve.

Manager Maria Jones said: “It was a very worrying period for us all before we found out our jobs had been saved.

“All the staff are excited about getting everything ready for the re-opening.”

A total of 388 Peacocks stores around the country closed in February after the firm went into administration.

Edinburgh Woollen bought out 244 stores including Ringwood – but later added Boscombe to its portfolio.

The news is a welcome boost to the Sovereign Centre after the previous closure of the large TJ Hughes unit, which is directly opposite Peacocks.

Maria got the call last week that store had been reprieved and that she and the staff still had jobs. She added: “Everyone is working very hard to get the store ready in time.”

Lucy Mitchell of NewRiver Retail, owners of the Sovereign Centre commented, “We are absolutely delighted that Peacocks is to re-open this week.

“The store had been one of the strongest performers in the area for Peacocks and it is thanks to the hard work Maria and her team put in and the support from our customers that the store has been reprieved.”

“It is a welcome confidence boost for the Sovereign Centre and indeed the town.”