A DIY chain has officially opened its doors at a multi-million pound retail park - a development that has so far created around 200 jobs for local people.

Screwfix, the UK’s largest multi channel retailer of trade tools and hardware products, opened the new store in the Ulverston Beehive Business Park.

The Beehive Business Park, situated along the A590 in Ulverston, has been transformed from a building site into a busy shopping hub in just 12 months, and the opening of Screwfix follows M&S Food Hall and Aldi which opened their doors at the park earlier this year.

Another company which will join Screwfix on the site will be Lake District Farmers, a Lindal meat producer.

Together, the four confirmed companies form the first phase of the development along with an additional 6,000 square foot employment unit.

A spokesman for Screwfix welcomed the opening of the new store and revealed there will be an official opening event in the upcoming months.

The spokesman said: “As we continue to grow our store network and bring Screwfix even closer to busy tradespeople, we’re delighted to be able to open our Ulverston branch.

“Please keep your eyes peeled for our official opening event in the coming months.”

Plans for the Beehive Business Park were first laid out in November 2017.

When they first surfaced three years ago they divided opinion, with those in favour of the plans stating Ulverston was in desperate need of a value supermarket and the Beehive’s development would bring in trade from Barrow, Dalton and Grange.

However a number of opponents passionately denounced the project saying it would sound a 'death knell' for the town centre and would open the door for rampant development in the town.

Despite controversy, the development was narrowly passed by councillors and the build was completed earlier this year.

The business park is said to have created 200 jobs for people in the area.

Now discussions with interested parties over the ‘smaller, second phase’ of the business park are currently taking place.

Screwfix is open at Beehive Business Park everyday from 7am until 7pm.