STATIONERY giant WH Smith is opening a shop in a market town to replace a former Woolworths store.

Workmen are now fitting out the new shop in High Street, Sandbach, ready for the grand opening on August 20.

The shop has been empty since Woolworths closed in January after the high street chain plunged into administration in November.

Louise Boon, who has been store manager of the Congleton branch for 15 years, is overseeing the new recruitment.

The 42-year-old said: "Since Woolworths closed down, we have seen a lot of customers come to WH Smith instead as we sell similar kinds of things like entertainment and stationery. I think Sandbach will be an excellent location.

"We are looking to fill three, 20-hour shop assistant vacancies in the week and two, four-hour vacancies at the week-ends. We're ideally looking for people with retail experience, but will also train all staff up at the Congleton store over a period of around a week."

Carol Williams from delicatessen Godfrey C Williams & Son on the Market Square, Sandbach, said she thought the new shop would help keep business in Sandbach.

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She said: "Anything has got to be better than an empty eyesore. It will stop people who live nearby being drawn to Crewe to do their shopping.

"The kids will be happy as they will have somewhere to buy their DVDs again. They haven't had anywhere since Woolworths shut down."

Mario Lanza, managing director of Sandbach Carpets, in Bradwall Road, Sandbach, said any big business locating in the town was to be seen as a bonus.

The 53-year-old said: "The type of goods that WH Smith sells will fit in well with the other gift shops in the town.

"I think it will do well. It was a shame to see a big name such as Woolworths go and I think WH Smith will be a good replacement.

"Sandbach has seemed to weather the storm of the recession well and there are many other big names in the town. There is a Boots store, a Homebase, an Aldi and a Waitrose. There is a selection of little stores for people to visit the town for."

Resident Mary Millyard said she thought the High Street was an excellent location for a WH Smith store.

The 72-year-old of Proctors Lane, Sandbach, said: "I get quite a few bits and pieces from WH Smith and they often very good offers on, but at the moment I have to travel to Crewe if I want to go to the store.

" The vacant store was making the town look drab."

A WH Smith spokesman said: "We are looking forward to coming to Sandbach."

Anyone interested in the job vacancies should call Congleton store manager Louise Boon, on 01260 278302.