NEARLY 20 jobs have been created after a new Argos shop opened inside the Homebase store on the outskirts of Kendal town centre.

The move appears to signal the DIY chain's intention to keep a presence in the town after its parent company Home Retail Group announced earlier this year it was to shut a quarter of its 323 branches by 2018 following a drop in sales.

Bosses at Argos have also confirmed it has no plans of pulling out of its store in the troubled Westmorland Shopping Centre, whose owners are in administration.

A spokesperson said: "We remain committed to serving the local community."

Up to 20,000 products - from technology to toys - will be available for same or next day delivery from the new Argos digital store.

Martin Thomson, manager of Homebase's Beezon Road store, said: “We are delighted to welcome Argos shoppers to our store. This is great news too for our customers, who now have even greater access to the products and brands they want, from a convenient location.”

Customers can also benefit from new services such as the ability to browse and pay for goods online at home or on the move for speedy collection from a Fast Track collection point in the store.

The fully Wi-Fi enabled, new ‘paperless’ store has a fresh and contemporary look, with tables of tablets replacing Argos’ traditional laminated catalogues, paper slips and pencils.

Customers can use the tablets to browse for products, videos, photography and customer reviews online, before adding items to their online shopping trolley.

Argos said the move has created 19 jobs for local people who have all undergone special training to provide more help to customers on the shop floor using the new technology.

Store manager Rachel Williamson said: “We’ve not had a store in this specific area before and it’s great that we can now bring our very latest modern stores to customers conveniently inside their local Homebase."

Last week the Gazette reported that Ethel Austin Properties, the owners of the Westmorland Shopping Centre, had entered into administration.

Administrators BDO are now looking for a new owner and have promised to keep it open in the meantime.