A NEW bargain store has opened in the abandoned Woolworths shop in The Mall Bristol, creating 40 new jobs.

Shoppers began to pick up bargains within minutes of the shop opening its doors for the first time yesterday, breathing life back into the former Woolies.

Charys and Jack Bradshaw, aged six and four, from St Werburgh's, helped to open Family Bargains in the ground floor of the shopping centre.

Waving balloons as the red ribbon was cut, the children and their mother Victoria, a teacher, said they were excited to step inside.

Ms Bradshaw said: "I knew the store was opening so I thought I'd come down to have a look.

"It was really sad when Woolworths closed as we used to come in for dressing-up clothes.

"It seems to have a similar feel and so I'm looking forward to shopping here."

Family Bargains is run by the Lalani family, who also own the chain of 99p stores. This will be their fourth and biggest store to date and they have taken on 40 members of staff.

Hussein Lalani, commercial director of the company, said: "We chose Bristol because of the great location.

"We know the city because of our 99p store in Knowle and we felt this former Woolworths store would be a good place to launch our next shop."

Mr Lalani said that many customers would recognise the brands on the shelves, which range from Hoover, Gillette, Dulux and Cadbury, and said the focus was on bigger value.

He said: "These are very exciting times on the High Street. People are no longer prepared to pay over the odds for everyday essentials like washing up liquid, coffee and toothpaste, and having tasted smaller priced bargains they now want bigger bargains of household items all in a one-stop store."

Karen Karadeg and Charlotte, 12, from Stoke Gifford, were the first to make a purchase from the shop.

Mrs Karadeg said: "We've bought some toys for my nephews to keep them entertained.

"It's similar to the old Woolworths really and it is so good to see the space being used again. I think it has breathed new life into the Mall."

Colin Lang, general manager of The Mall Bristol, said: "We are delighted to be welcoming Family Bargains into The Mall Bristol. This is the first of a number of lettings which we will be announcing over the coming few weeks.

"The Mall's retailers offer excellent value for money for our shoppers, and alongside other anchor retailers within the centre such as TKMaxx and Argos, Family Bargains is a great addition to the Mall."