Fashion retailer Primark is opening a new store in Ilford.

An official ceremony will mark the opening of the store in High Road, Ilford on Wednesday.

Town centre manager Neil Davis described it as significant in the re-development of the area’s retail landscape.

Mr Davis said: “We are delighted that the hugely popular store will co-anchor and complement our existing high street retailers and we look forward to welcoming new visitors to Ilford, drawn by the UK’s foremost specialist in affordable fashion.”

More than 180 people have been employed and many were helped by charity Barnabas Workshops which held re-employment sessions.

These included interview practice, tests and assistance filling in application forms.

Barnabas Workshops’ chief executive Bernadette Benn said: “It is great to be able to steer local people towards local jobs, which help to boost the Ilford economy and reduce the carbon footprint by cutting out unnecessary and expensive travel.”