STAFF at major new Southampton book and music store Borders are busy carrying in the first of 300,000 books set to be stocked by the massive branch when it opens one week today.

More than 50 jobs are being created by the 26,000 sq ft shop, which includes a Starbucks coffee shop and a Paperchase card outlet and will be open until 10pm Monday to Saturday.

The former Pets at Home store next to Argos on the West Quay Retail Park will house more than 50,000 DVD and CD titles alongside its mountain of books.

Britain's 43rd branch of the Borders chain, which is based in the US, also boasts an event space which will see TV fashion advisors Trinny and Susannah hold a book signing and a visit from Atlantic rowers Ben Fogle and James Cracknell.

The space will also be given over for local book groups and literacy classes and other community uses.

General manager Matt Loten said: "The company chose the city because it is exactly where we want to be. Not only are there huge company head offices here and cruise ships, but there are two universities and lots of opportunities for us.

"We have wanted to get into Southampton for quite some time, but because of the size of the store, finding locations was a real challenge. This is absolutely perfect."

He encouraged the community to get involved with the event space, which has already attracted a knitting group.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for Southampton. We want to encourage people to come down and hold group meetings in store.

"We already have good links with libraries and schools and we are looking to hold reading groups in the store. It's not just about selling books."