CLOTHING giant H&M will open in Witney’s Woolgate Shopping Centre next spring.

The store will open beside Next, and fill the last remaining unlet unit in the centre.

Business leaders hailed the move as a major boost for the town. The nearest other stores are in Swindon, Banbury, High Wycombe, and Reading.

Laura Maggs, spokesman for H&M, said: “We are delighted to be adding Witney to our portfolio of store locations in the UK.

“The Woolgate Shopping Centre is an ideal location for H&M, and we are convinced that our arrival will be well received by the people of Witney, giving them added value through fashion, competitive prices and quality.”

Shoppers in Witney yesterday backed the plans.

Lucy Robertson, 37, from Witney, said: “It means I can do more of my shopping in one stop, rather than going to various places.”

Vicki Clarke, 28, from Carterton, said: “I would go in there quite a lot because they have good kids’ clothes.

“I think it was the one shop that was missing from Oxford.”

Barbara Brooks, 63, from Stanton Harcourt, said that although she would not use the shop, it was good news for Witney.

She said: “I think the more shops the better it is for Witney — it draws people in.

“All the shops opening recently has made Witney a better place. It’s not nice to see empty stores in the town.”

Neil Hardiman, development manager for USS, which owns the centre, said: “We are delighted to bring quality retailers to Witney.

“They will, I am sure, play a key role in attracting shoppers.

“A fully-let Woolgate Shopping Centre has the potential to boost town centre trade as a whole because of its location at the heart of the town.

“These lettings demonstrate retailers’ confidence in Witney.”

It comes after outdoor equipment firm Mountain Warehouse announced it would open in the former Adams Childrenswear unit in the Woolgate.

There has been a wave of stores opening in Witney recently.

Three independent stores opened last month, cards and gifts store Fresh, women’s clothing store Estilo, and traditional sweet shop Jellibon were to open.

Lesley Semaine, chairman of Witney Chamber of Commerce, said: “In the present economic climate, this growth that Witney is experiencing is just fantastic.

“This just goes to show that these companies have confidence in Witney.

“We are obviously a growing market town rather than a dying one, and I think it’s all very positive.”