There will be live bands, prize giveaways and an appearance by a television personality to make sure the opening of the £40m Willow Place in Queen's Square this weekend goes with a bang.

After years of languishing in the shopping doldrums, the first phase of development, which will be followed by an £80m revamp of the Anne Street area, has lifted the town's spirits.

Town centre owners Land Securities' development manager Mark Rymell said: "Willow Place has enabled us to deliver a high quality scheme more appropriate to modern retailing and customer demands.

"We now have the makings of a broad fashion offer that will appeal to all generations and strong foundations for further phases of regeneration in Corby town centre."

The development has been such a success that Corby, which has appeared regularly on the list of worst town centres in Britain, is predicted to climb the shopping league table to outperform Wellingborough and nip at
the heels of Kettering.

And for the first time thousands of Corby residents will be doing their shopping in their home town rather than travelling further afield, lured in by big names such as Clarks – which opens its doors today – New Look, River Island, Burton and the Body Shop.

Carole Gough, 47, of Willowbrook Road, Corby, said she did not believe the hype until she saw the centre for herself.

She said: "I think it looks great and is a real marked improvement.

After so many years of false promises I, like many others, was not expecting much but it really does look good."

And Angela Beck, 29, who moved to the town a year ago after being lured in by the cheap house prices, said she would be buying Christmas presents in the town.

She said: "It's great to have such good shops on your doorstep and hopefully it will give house prices another boost."

Following the official opening by the mayor at 10.30am tomorrow, festivities will get underway on Saturday from 10.30am.

TV style guru Nicky Hambleton Jones will take to the stage in front of Willow Place with Corby woman Eleanor Henderson and her family who won a £5,000 makeover competition, which included a pamper session, gifts from Corby stores and a night's stay at Rushton Hall.

Throughout the day shoppers will also be able to take part in competitions.

From midday to 2pm local bands One Penny Short and The Shims will be playing to shoppers.

There will also be bungee trampolines in Corporation Street.