THE Homebase store in Hawick could be given a new lease of life as a rival retailer has submitted plans for the site to Scottish Borders Council.

The parent company of discount retail giant Home Bargains, TJ Morris, has put in an application to the local authority’s planning department to allow food retailing on the premises.

The Liverpool-headquartered firm has stores at 481 locations and currently employs around 17,000 staff throughout the UK.

It also opened up a new £4m store in Galashiels in the summer, providing dozens of new jobs in a 25,000sq ft unit in Stirling Street.

Homebase, on the other hand, announced in August that it was closing 42 of its stores, putting 1,500 staff out of work, as part of a national shake-up designed to revive its fortunes.

That includes its store at Galalaw Retail Park in Hawick at the cost of 27 jobs.

Speaking at the time the closure was announced, Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont said: “This is hugely disappointing news for staff, their families and Hawick itself.

“Just when it seems that a recovery is on the horizon for the town, a blow like this is announced.

“Homebase have promised to relocate staff where possible. However, with the next nearest stores being in Carlisle or Berwick, this isn’t going to be suitable for most.”

The application from TJ Morris, submitted by Glasgow-based planning consultancy Iceni Projects, would see 30 per cent of the 12,600sq m site given over to food retailing, although the company is refusing to comment on the specifics of the proposal.

Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall has welcomed the news, saying: “I think it’s very encouraging that someone has come along so quickly.

“I know the company were expressing great interest, and I’m sure many people will be pleased by this news.”

The application might provide similar jobs at the site, but the presence of another out-of-town retailer will do little to revitalise the high street of a town which has been in dramatic decline over the last decade.

A recent report put to Scottish Borders Council showed that footfall in the town centre has more than halved since 2007, and there are now 37 retail units standing vacant.