HIGH street giant WH Smith is to take over the former Woolworths store in Uttoxeter and create up to 20 new jobs.

The move will see the return of WH Smith to Uttoxeter after an absence of more than 40 years.

The stationery giant has targeted the former Woolworths store, in High Street, which closed its doors shortly after Christmas.

The company unveiled its plans by hanging a huge poster in the window on Wednesday. The new shop will open in the spring although no official date has been given. The exact number of jobs created is also unknown but it is likely to be up to 20.

The move is seen as a coup for the town at a time when shops are increasingly hard to fill.

Uttoxeter's county councillor Geoff Morrison had previously said that filling the vacant Woolworths was a "top priority".

He was pleased when the Post & Times broke the news to him.

He said: "This is just the boost we needed. WH Smith is a big blue chip company which will attract more people to the town. I'm sure it will do very well.

"If everyone had the same confidence in Uttoxeter as I do, there wouldn't be any empty shops. We are well placed for a quick recovery once this recession ends."

In the 1960s WH Smith had a popular kiosk at Uttoxeter Station.

Town mayor Pauline Morrison said: "They took their time but it is a very welcome return.

"It's the news we have been waiting for and it will hopefully prove to a catalyst for other big names coming to the town. The signs are very encouraging."

Town centre retailers are confident the expected extra footfall will boost their trade.

Coffee lounge owner David Hunter, head of the newly-formed Uttoxeter retail forum, said: "The empty Woolworths store was a huge blot on the High Street and I'm delighted WH Smiths has taken it over.

"It will give the town the confidence boost it needed.

"We do really have a lovely balance of little independent shops and big names in Uttoxeter now."

The Post & Times revealed in October that WH Smith was in talks about opening a store on the soon-to-be developed former cattle market site behind the town hall.

A company spokesman said: "WH Smith is delighted to confirm it will be opening a new store in Uttoxeter this Spring.

"We are unable to release any further details at this point in time."

Woolworths closed on December 27, with the loss of 17 jobs.

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