Retail chain Quality Discounts, also known as QD Stores, will open a 7,000 square-foot store in Maldon High Street on Thursday 25 August.

The discount retailer has provided a "welcome employment boost" to the town, creating 16 new jobs.

It will be officially opened by Karl Ottolangui, QD Group's Operations Director, at 9am. The store replaces the clothing retailer M&Co, which closed recently.

To mark the occasion, QD will be giving out 100 'goody bags' to the first 100 customers in-store, along with a host of competitions and giveaways throughout the day,

Located at 44–48 High Street, QD Group says the store will bring the retailer's 'unique' offering of home, gardening, pets, furniture, food and more, "all at discounted prices".

There will also be special deals for QD Reward Card holders on the opening day. Customers can sign up for a free Reward Card in-store to receive 10% off their next shop, plus more special deals, treats on their birthday, and monthly prize draws.

The store manager in Maldon will be Luke Willis, who has moved to Maldon after being the manager at QD store in Grays, Essex.

Mr Willis said: "We can't wait to officially open our new store in Maldon.

"The final preparations are just being made now, having given the store a full fit out and a fresh coat of paint in QD's trademark red.

"We're looking forward to welcoming customers and showing them fantastic quality, ever-changing deals and value guaranteed that they can expect here in Maldon."

The store is part of the QD Group, which is East Anglia's largest independent and family-owned chain of High Street value retail outlets.

There are currently 29 QD stores across the country. The original concept of QD Stores' quality discounted retailing was established in 1985 by Danny Rubins, now Chairman at the company. His son Nick Rubins is the CEO.

The elder Mr Rubins' aim was to "offer customers a wide range of constantly changing, quality products at discounted prices".

For more information on QD, visit the website.