Developers have announced that another high-street chain will be moving to Kenilworth.
Newspaper, magazine, stationery and book chain WHSmith will open in the back of the former Woolworths premises this autumn.
The Warwick Road shop had been empty since Woolworths closed in December last year after 40 years in the town.
Conversio
n work to split the old shop into two units is now underway, and will involve moving the new WHSmith entrance forward into Talisman shopping centre.
The work is expected to be completed by September, with the shop ready to open in November.
Town centre manager Joe Baconnet said WHSmith's arrival was "another good piece of news for Kenilworth" and hinted there would be more to follow.
He added: "Investors are continuing to look at Kenilworth in a new and positive light and it will give people another reason to shop in the town.
"The message is – despite the problems nationally, Kenilworth is an attractive place to invest."
The Woolworths store employed 63 people and had been trading in Kenilworth since 1965. Mr Baconnet said it had been an "integral part" of the town.
Hugo Hawkings, chief executive of Talisman developers Discovery Properties, said: "We are delighted to announce a big name like WHSmith is to open in Talisman. This is a big boost to the town.
"We are committed to attracting leading high street stores and local independent retailers to Kenilworth, and WHSmith certainly fits this brief.
"Talks are also on-going with a number of other retailers we feel will bring fresh impetus to the town as a whole, and we hope to make further announcements about new tenants shortly."
A WHSmith spokesman said: "I can confirm that WHSmith is delighted to be bringing its products and services to the community of Kenilworth and we are expecting the store to open by the end of the year."
