MORE than 50 new jobs are expected to be created with the expansion of a Burnley fashion retailer’s headquarters.

Plans have been unveiled by The Original Factory Shop to extend its main premises in Billington Road, on the Orient Business Park, through Nelson-based Barnfield Construction.

An extra 104,000 square feet of warehousing is envisaged towards the rear of the head office, which formerly housed British Vita, and 52 additional car parking spaces are being sought.

Planning agent Frank Belshaw said there were numerous industrial estates in the area but there was little or no potential for any of them to expand.

He added: “This area of land has been ignored for development because of the topography and costs of development.

“However the pressure for new industrial space now makes the development viable. The site is situated close to the M65 an has a good traffic link to the nearby junctions nine and 10. ”

The company brought 50 jobs to Burnley in 2007 when it relocated to the borough from its former home in Steeton, near Keighley. The existing warehouse space there is around 145,000 square feet.

Earlier this year it was announced that the company, overseen by former Debenham’s boss Angela Spindler, had seen profits soar up more than 35 per cent year-on-year.

The chain has outlets in Clitheroe, Great Harwood and Todmorden and is hoping to launch more stores in Lancashire.

The demise of Woolworths also saw the firm acquire a number of the retailer’s old premises, particularly in North Wales.