A discount retailer has announced the opening date for its new store in Sussex.

B&M will open in Market Place Shopping Centre in Burgess Hill at 8am on April 9.

The new shop has taken over the unit previously occupied by Wilko and is creating 100 jobs.

Customers can expect to find a variety of branded groceries including a range of food, drink and pet food. There will also be a selection of health and beauty products, homeware, electricals, DIY essentials, toys, games and gifts.

Staff members were asked to nominate a local charity they think deserves some “VIP” treatment for the work they do for the community. They chose the team from Burgess Hill Creative Community to take centre stage and officially unveil the new B&M store.

Burgess Hill Creative Community, which was established in 2020, aims to make arts and crafts an accessible, enjoyable and meaningful activity in a social environment for all.

Read more: Crowds gather in the rain to get inside new B&M opened by Love Island star

It offers activities for everyone, including art group, computer tech, Friday craft club, pottery, weaving and sewing. It aims to alleviate loneliness and increase social interaction, so that users can build meaningful relationships whilst creating items they love and are proud of.

In addition to the charity, the Burgess Hill store will also welcome the mayor of Burgess Hill, Councillor Janice Henwood to attend and assist the charity with the opening the store.

The store manager from B&M said: “We’re feeling extremely positive about the creation of more jobs for local people, and we hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store.

“Burgess Hill Creative Community, really stood out for us, so we wanted to give them some VIP treatment as a thank you for all the hard work that they have done. We hope that our donation can help them to continue the great work they do.”

In February, B&M opened another store in the former Wilko unit in Worthing’s Guildbourne Centre.

Love Island star Amy Hart, who lives in Worthing, opened the shop alongside homelessness charity Turning Tides to cheers from those waiting to get inside.