A HIGH Street shop which has been empty since the demise of Woolworths is to re-open as part of the 99p Stores chain.

The 131st branch of the chain will open in Wimborne Road, Winton, on April 1, promising more than 4,000 products ranging from cosmetics to catering.

The family-run business began in North London in 2001 and now boasts 1.5 million weekly shoppers.

It expects to have around 200 outlets by the end of the year. Hussein Lalani, co-founder of the company, said: “In a way we are doing for the public what Woolworths failed to do for so many years and that is to give great value products.

“Woolworths started out as a sixpence shop with everything at one price. We are the 21st century version of this.

“We feel proud to take over the mantle and consider oursevles custodians of the Woolworths high street brand.”

The new store will be the 60th former Woolies to be converted by the chain and promises to create 30 new local jobs. In total, 99p Stores have created 500 jobs in the region in the last eighteen months.

Winton East councillor Nigel Cowley said: “Any store opening is a sign that things are improving. Stores like Wilkinson and G&T bring a lot of business to Winton.” But local shop owner Tina Hunter said: “I’m glad that it’s no longer an empty shop but I’d rather it not be a 99p Store.”