Around 200 jobs will be created when the Quora Retail Park in Eaton Socon opens in the next few weeks and The Hunts Post can confirm that Pets at Home and B&M Bargains will be the first stores to open their doors.

The two retailers are expected to open at the end of March, and the neighbouring Aldi store, by the middle of June.

The site, on the Howard Road Industrial Estate, which includes four business units, has been vacant for five years and is managed by Quora Ltd.

Ben Ellis, one of the company’s four directors, said the recent bad weather had “slowed progress” but the provisional date for the site being fully operational and open to the public was mid-June.

“We have been a bit hampered by the bad weather and there are lots of jobs such as painting the outside of buildings that can’t be done in the rain unfortunately,” said Mr Ellis.

“But we are very excited about this scheme and we know that Aldi, Pets at Home and B&M, are looking forward to coming to Eaton Socon.”

St Neots mayor James Corley said the mix of stores offered some real choice for consumers.

“This is a great boost for the town and it is absolutely brilliant that the people of St Neots will have some improved retail choice. The hope is that we can create a town centre that will accommodate independent businesses and niche shops, but we also need the out-of-town stores.”

Eaton Socon councillor, Roger Harrison added: “This is great news for all Eaton Socon residents in terms of our local economy and employment opportunities. The way people shop is changing as they want to shop locally and more than once a week, so this ticks all the boxes.”