A JEWELLER is to open a new branch at a Hampshire shopping centre creating 15 new jobs.

Ernest Jones is the latest big name set to take residence at the Whiteley Shopping Centre.

The store is set to open on Saturday in time for the busy festive gift season.

It will be located adjacent to Boots and Holland & Barrett‎.

In September the centre, just off junction nine of the M27, welcomed two new stores, creating 15 new jobs - independent clothes shop Fussy Nation and Glow & Co specialising in bath and body products and home fragrances.

Other recent openings at the centre, which opened in May last year, include Joules, Monsoon and Phase Eight and restaurants YO! Sushi and Wagamama.

This latest announcement comes as construction work continues on the second phase of Whiteley's £18 million development, which includes a nine-screen Cineworld cinema, Five Guys, Nando's, PizzaExpress and Coast to Coast.

The extension is due to open in summer 2015, will create 180 new jobs and be located at the north of the centre.

Neil Carter, Centre Manager for Whiteley Shopping, comments: “Ernest Jones will be a brilliant addition to Whiteley Shopping, offering more variety for presents and stylish jewellery as well as adding to the excellent line-up of fashionable shops already in residence at the centre.”