More than 40 new jobs are to be created in a city centre with the opening of a futuristic shopping complex.

The full-time and part-time workers will be employed at branches of Sport Soccer and Free Spirit, which are to open where Hotshots bar once stood in North Street, Brighton.

A tenant has yet to be found for a third shop, of 16,000sqft, which is planned for the new building.

Clothing chain Sports Soccer, which has 100 shops nationwide, is to move into the centre from its smaller premises in nearby Churchill Square.

The new shop will cover an area of 15,000sq ft on two floors and employ up to 30 staff, 20 of them full time.

Newton Fraser, marketing director of Sports Soccer, which is based in Luton, said: "It will be one of our larger stores.

"We are due to start construction on the site about half-way through next year.

"Once we have started fitting it out the whole process will take about 12 weeks so we should be ready to open for business in the autumn."

Mr Fraser said the jobs would be advertised locally about five weeks before opening.

A second shop unit has been taken by outdoor clothing boutique Free Spirit, which has about 12 stores in major shopping centres around Britain.

The 5,000sqft unit will be fitted out with a climbing wall to emphasise the shop's theme of outdoor activities.

The store is expected to create ten jobs.

More are expected to be announced when a tenant is found for the remaining unit.

The modern glass and steel development, designed by Brighton-based architects APP Partnership, will be situated next to Boots opposite the Clock Tower.

It will also include 14 loft-style apartments.

Building work has already begun on the site of the former bar, which was finally demolished last Thursday.