CWMBRAN town centre is set for a boost, with two new stores and a huge superstore planned.

Clothing retail giant Matalan will open next year - taking more than half the space available in a new mall planned for the site of the former Asda store.

The store confirmed it was coming to the town but was unable to say how many jobs would be created.

As the Argus reported yesterday, 50 jobs will be created with the opening of discount store Poundland.

Clothes retailer Pilot is also set to open a new two-level store in the town but no details have been finalised yet.

The announcement by Matalan heralds the start of the second phase of an £8 million pound redevelopment for Cwmbran.

Six new retail units are being created either side of a central pedestrian mall, with Matalan taking up a 51,000 sq ft unit, three times the size of their existing Cwmbran store.

Cwmbran Shopping Manager Gerry Hutchings, said: "We are delighted that Matalan have shown real confidence in Cwmbran by taking such a large store."

As part of the work a new vertical circulation tower will be created off Llywelyn Road linking the car park levels to the new mall and through to Monmouth Walk.

He added: "This will not only give us a totally new visual focus, providing a contemporary new gateway to the town centre, but it will also help to improve pedestrian circulation links around the town too."

The redevelopment work is expected to take around 12 months, with Matalan hoping to open for business around July 2004.

Women's fashion retailer Pilot is advertising for staff for their new store in the Mall. The 3,500 sq ft store on two floors is due to open at the end of September. The town centre is also set to get 50 new jobs with the opening of a new Poundland store.

Mr Hutchings said: "It's a very attractive place for retailers and with the improvements we are making it is set to be even more attractive."