RETAIL chain TJ Hughes plans to open more shops – with enough storage capacity at its London Road headquarters in Liverpool to double its current six-strong portfolio.

And new owner Anil Juneja told LDP Business that TJs’ online operation will be significantly increased to reach the geographical areas no longer covered by the closure of 51 stores after the collapse of the former group.

Mr Juneja revealed that expansion is very much part of his strategy to restore the discount store chain to its former glory, after buying the six shops and the TJs brand from administrators last month.

The new-look chain will be officially launched this Saturday and will undergo a revamp of sales lines, as well as the physical refurbishment of its sites in Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield, Glasgow, Eastbourne and Widnes.

But the group’s five-year plan sees the business adding to its current estate, possibly through the acquisition of some former TJs stores.

Mr Juneja, 32, said: “There is a lot of possibilities with stores that have closed, but we have a big job on here to get these six stores right and get the business operating as we want it.

“But once we get settled, we will definitely look to develop more stores.”

He said even before the former TJs collapsed with £433.5m of debt, its online operation was growing by 30%, and in April even beat Speke-based online retailer Littlewoods on a particular sales line.

A call centre, initially 10-strong, is also being set up in London Road to support a 20-page monthly mail-out brochure: “Our customers are very loyal so we should see some growth.”