BARGAIN hunters will be thrilled to hear that Poundworld will be opening a shop in Trowbridge later this month.

The news was confirmed by the national company this week, which said it will be moving into the former Knees premises on Fore Street next to Boots Opticians.

It has not been able to confirm the opening date or exact number of jobs to be created, but has promised that “the store will hopefully play a part in the regeneration of the town.”

Colin Kay from the Trowbridge chamber of commerce said while he welcomed the news, he is also cautious about the town's image it will give the town.

“The Knees premises is a key location right in the middle of the town and to have it vacant is not a good thing, so in that sense I welcome that a business is moving into it,” he said. “But we already have pound shops and if in the long term we want to raise the image and profile of the town then we need to welcome different shops.”

“While I would give it a welcome because any business increases the retail of the town and attracts extra footfall but in the long term, with Marks and Spencer coming, I hope there will be more of a range of retailers and it will demonstrate that higher market retailers work in Trowbridge.”

David Baker, chairman of Trowbridge Town Team, shared his concerns but said he remained optimistic about the move.

“From our perspective it is extremely good news that a big space is being used to retail and it is adding opportunities for customers to shop there,” he said.

“Lots of people will say they do not want it because there are other shops like it in the town, but the main thing is that by putting a business within Fore Street, it is at least giving a chance for the area to get a greater footfall and it will help the weekly markets.”

Poundworld first hit the high streets of Britain back in 1974 and since then they have nearly 300 stores open nationwide.

With increasing sales, they now plan to expand, opening an additional 150 stores over the next three years.