DOZENS more jobs are to be created in Bury St Edmunds after it emerged two major retailers had signed up for shop fronts and four more were in the pipeline.

DOZENS more jobs are to be created in Bury St Edmunds after it emerged two major retailers had signed up for shop fronts and four more were in the pipeline.

Both the up-market shoe retailer Hobbs and the crystal glass store Swarovski have signed up for units on the �100million arc shopping centre, which will open in spring on the former Cattle Market site in Bury St Edmunds.

The deal brings the total number of businesses committed to opening in Bury to 20.

The developer behind the scheme, Centros, has also revealed how negotiations with four more stores were currently in the hands of solicitors and how one retailer - Fat Face - had changed its allotted unit for one with more floor space.

Centros is now working hard to get all the retailers signed up to the development ready for the spring opening.

Associate director of Centros, David Lewis, said: “This is great news. Both Hobbs and Swarovski complement our strong retail line-up, with Hobbs in particular fulfilling local demand for upmarket fashion.

“We expect to confirm other lettings in the next few weeks and will be working closely with the retailers to get them ready to open as soon as possible.”

Nicky Dulieu, managing director of Hobbs, claimed the arc development would help both new and existing businesses alike.

He said: “Arc represents an excellent opportunity to increase our premium offer in Bury St Edmunds in a new development which manages to retain strong links to the traditional town centre, complement the overall retail offer and thereby benefit both existing and new retailers to the town.”

Stores already signed up for leases included the department store Debenhams, which will occupy the landmark “clamshell” building, HMV, Jane Norman, Waterstone's, H and M and Crew Clothing. In addition to the shops, arc will have a number of restaurants and cafes.

The shopping centre's new manager Paul Haynes took up post three weeks ago. Coming to Bury from Royal Leamington Spa, Mr Haynes said: “The development is providing the town with an enviable retail destination, and it will be a pleasure to build long-term relationships working alongside all the key players in the town to open arc for the benefit of those who live, work and socialise here. “The town is unique and a real asset to the area and we are very keen that arc complements what is already here, smoothly integrating with the existing shops and businesses to help take the town into the next chapter of its history.”