GAPING holes were left on Britain's high streets after the collapse of retail giant Woolworths.

Generations of shopping history were brought to an end and once thriving stores were reduced to silent empty units.

But new life is now being breathed into the idea of the bargain store, with several strong contenders finding success by going back to basics.

Around 80 new jobs will have been created in Swansea with the launch of two large budget stores at opposing ends of the city.

Home Bargains, which has more than 200 stores across the country, is preparing to launch a store at Swansea's Parc Tawe.

The chain will create 40 jobs when it opens the doors of its city centre store after a £500,000 revamp of the 7,000 sq ft unit on Saturday, September 11.

Revitalising

The news comes less than a month after fellow budget supermarket chain B&M opened a similar store in Swansea, also employing around 40 people — but this time at the Cwmdu Industrial Estate.

Mid-range homeware store HomeSense also opened earlier this year at Parc Fforestfach, revitalising a unit which had been left empty for more than six months following the collapse of book chain Borders, and creating 35 new jobs.

Home Bargains operations director Joe Morris said simplicity has been the key to the success of the group, which is still led by the original family members who launched the business from a single store in the Old Swan area of Liverpool 30 years ago.

Mr Morris said: "The recession has helped the rise of the bargain store, and with Woolworths disappearing there is more property available.

"As companies like ourselves have done well, competition has seen it is a good area to move into.

"Success breeds competition and that is good for the customer.

"We all have to work harder to get better products at better prices."

Home Bargains currently employs more than 5,000 staff in the UK and has 15 stores in South Wales after launching in the region two years ago.

Mr Morris said: "We come from a family of shopkeepers and we do what it says over the door.

"Our strapline is top brands at bottom prices."

He said he felt Woolworths failed by losing focus and becoming too complicated.

"We keep it very simple so we can keep our costs low to give low prices to the customer," he added.

Direct competitor B&M has been opening a new store every week for the past two years and according to director Simon Arora, it is now the fastest-growing retailer in the UK.

Mr Arora said: "We were ranked by Fast Track 100 as having created more jobs than any other private company in the country over the past three years.

"We have been delighted by how well our stores have been received in South Wales, where we now have over 12 stores, with two having opened in Swansea this summer.

Value

"We would love to be in Cardiff, but are still looking for suitable premises.

"The reason for our growth is an obsession for offering extreme value for money.

"That said, we focus on selling the leading brands, so customers can be sure of the quality.

"We felt Woolworths stores were dreary and lacking excitement.

"Our stores by contrast are bright, colourful and have new ranges arriving every single week, and that's what makes shoppers come back.

"We don't waste money on fancy shop displays or mood music — the emphasis is on value for money," Mr Arora added.