TOWN leaders have vowed to help find a new tenant for the massive department store vacated earlier this week by failed retail group T.J. Hughes.

Town centre manager Isobel Watson says the building is an attractive proposition for any future occupier and she and her team will do whatever they can to help find a new tenant.

The T.J. Hughes branch in Wrexham closed its doors for the final time on Sunday – four days ahead of schedule after the vast majority of stock was sold at knock-down prices.

Forty staff members lost their jobs and Jobcentre Plus officials are helping to find them new work.

Mrs Watson said: “The store, like others in the group, is still in the hands of the administrator.

“At some stage it will be handed back to the owners, who are Landmaster Properties in London.

“They will appoint agents who will market the property, which was built as part of the general retail development in that area.”

She added: “The former T.J. Hughes store is in a prime location and should be very agreeable to anyone wanting to move into it.

“Although these are tough times we have had some success in finding new occupants for other large units in the town centre such as the former Woolworths, Marks & Spencer and Boots.

“The former T.J. Hughes has the advantage of having been purpose built as retail premises while some of the older premises in the town centre were not.

“When agents are appointed we will get in touch with them and do all we can to support the marketing of the store.”

More than 30 T.J. Hughes staff had a farewell party at the Welch Fusilier pub in Chester Street on Tuesday night where they enjoyed a buffet and karaoke session.