South West discount retailer Trago Mills is substantially expanding its DIY offer, with construction starting this week on a £3m Build Centre at its Newton Abbott branch.

The Build Centre will comprise more than 2,000sq m of indoor retail, as well as an outside retail and display area of 1,209sq m. It will not only expand upon the store's already extensive DIY range, which currently accounts for around 20% of the store's annual turnover, but will also focus heavily on trade customers and requisites.

Trago Mills Newton Abbott owner and chairman Bruce Robertson said: "We are all very excited about the new Build Centre as at last we will be able to do justice to not simply the DIY sector but also the trade too; with home build finally receiving the recognition its contribution to housing stock deserves and Teignbridge taking a national lead, our timing is hopefully spot on.

"The redevelopment of the Liverton complex has already been a 15 year project, it remains a work in progress and once the Build Centre is open for business next May, our attention will then re-focus on improving our all season leisure offer with additional under cover facilities for the entire family – watch this space! With Kier offering an economic solution and winning the contract for Trago’s forthcoming flagship store in South Wales, it is befitting that the partnership continues here on our home turf in South Devon where the business has flourished for 50 years.”

The new facility is earmarked for opening in Spring 2017, with the building incorporate some of the distinct architecture - including three 'Trago Towers' - for which the retailer is famous. Once complete, the Build Centre will create 12 new jobs for locals.