FIFTY jobs will be created this year with the opening of a new Watt Brothers’ store in Port Glasgow.

Bosses from Scotland’s oldest, independently owned department store chain say they are ‘very excited’ about creating a branch at the waterfront retail park.

The 15,000 square feet shop will be similar in size to a recent new opening in Irvine, and should be open during the second half of this year.

Managing director, Willie Watt, pictured right, said the timescale depends on developers and builders.

Mr Watt said: “We’ve chosen Port Glasgow as part of our expansion plans because a thriving, retail environment is perfect for Watt Brothers and is an exciting development in the company’s future plans.”

The jobs will be a mixture of part-time and full-time roles.

Mr Watt, a great-grandson of the company founder, Allan Watt, who formed it in 1915, said the business has changed dramatically since it first opened its doors in Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street, when the focus was exclusively on high-end ladies’ fashions.

He said: “We have evolved as a business and recognised that a retail offer including a wider range of great value products in a department store style setting has greater appeal to today’s consumer.

“We are also fortunate to have a great team working with us who are enthusiastic and focused on delivering what our customer wants.

“We’ve seen positive growth in terms of both turnover and customer numbers even in the recent recessionary period, and we’ve continued our expansion in terms of new store openings.

“My long term plan is to have a total of 16 stores throughout Scotland, and we’re constantly looking at new opportunities to secure ideal locations.”

The new store will form a key part of an expansion at the retail park, where an investment of around £40m is being made and new units are being built.

The Tele revealed last year how supermarket chain Aldi will occupy the first new unit after bosses applied for an alcohol licence, while clothing retailer TK Maxx and the likes of Argos and Poundland have also been linked with the site, already home to B&Q, Costa Coffee and Tesco.

Watt Brothers is currently spread over its headquarters and warehouse premises in Govan, and stores in Glasgow city centre, Robroyston, Livingston, Ayr, Irvine, Clarkston, Hamilton, Lanark and Clydebank.

Products sold include ladies and gents clothing and accessories, golf wear and accessories, linens, housewares, electrical, health and beauty, perfumes and aftershaves, skincare, make-up, haircare, jewellery, watches, books, toys, luggage, wool and haberdashery, gardening, food, confectionery and gifts.