THE Original Factory Shop chain of department stores ended months of speculation this week by announcing plans to open a new outlet in the old Westgate building in Cinderford High Street.

The company has already been busy recruiting staff, from store manager to general sales, for the new shop, which is expected to be open within weeks.

The building is owned by Mid Counties Cooperative Society where a spokesman said: “Yes, we have now agreed a lease with the Factory Shop.”

Contractors are currently carrying out preliminary work on the 11,000 sq ft building vacated by Real Deal in May last year.

A Factory Shop spokesman said: “We’re really excited to be part of Cinderford development by creating jobs within the local community. The store will be open early in the new year.”

The Original Factory Shop, which has more than 200 branches in the UK, including Lydney, Ross-on-Wye and Chepstow, stocks discount lines in fashion, beauty and gifts, home and garden, electrical, furniture and leisure.

Graham Morgan, chairman of Gloucestershire County Council, who lives in Cinderford, said: “This is super news. It means that we now have very few empty shops in the town.

“I am very optimistic about the town centre shopping situation.”