HIGH street giant WHSmith is set to come to Thornbury later this summer.

The owners of the St Mary Shopping Centre announced this week that they have exchanged contracts with the national chain.

Richard Blake, asset manager for the Peer group, which runs the centre, said: "WHSmith is the quality of retailer that we have worked hard to introduce into St Mary Centre. They will provide a boost for Thornbury town centre."

WHSmith will be opening in the large unit vacated by Cotswold News and Gifts just last month, which fronts on to the town’s High Street from the St Mary Shopping Centre.

A spokesman for the stationery chain said: "WHSmith are delighted to be opening a new store in Thornbury towards the end of August 2011.

"Customers will be able to access a wide range of WHSmith products, including books, stationery, newspapers and magazines and we look forward to welcoming our customers into the new store."

The company has not released details of how many jobs the store is likely to create and said it will give further information closer to the opening date.

Despite the arrival of WHSmith there are still six empty shop units in the shopping centre, but Mr Blake said he was hopeful other larger retailers would now follow suit.

He said: "On the back of this agreement, we hope to secure other national retailers with whom we have been having discussions about taking units in St Mary Centre.

"Notwithstanding the difficult economic conditions, our strategy continues to be focussed on re-letting to retailers who will add to the range and quality already on offer in Thornbury. "Our staff are working with existing retailers to keep St Mary Centre looking vibrant. We continue to work closely with Thornbury Town Centre Partnership and the local Chamber of Commerce with whom we have good working relationships."