CHARD's mayor and an ex-mayor have reacted to the good news that a Peacocks branch will be opening in the town.

Rumours that the clothing chain would be opening a new shop in the town centre were sparked last Wednesday, when a job advert for a new shop manager and assistant manager appeared online.

A spokesman for Peacocks’ parent company, Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, has since confirmed the good news for the town.

He said: “I can confirm Peacocks are proposing a new store in Chard.”

As the lease terms surrounding the access date are still being addressed, the company does not yet have an opening date, and they are yet to confirm the exact location of the new store.

The job postings have appeared on a number of websites, including retailchoice.com.

In 2012, Peacocks was taken over by the Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM) Group after the High Street chain went into administration.

Cllr Garry Shortland, mayor of Chard, said: “It is fantastic. This will be a real boost for Chard.

“It is just a really uplifting thing for the future of our town, to have one of our largest empty stores filled again.

“I would like to think that any good news would lift the spirits. I think there is a demand for this kind of shop because every economic town needs diversity of shops. Especially with Store Twenty One closing, Chard was lacking in this kind of shop.

“What everybody would like to see back in Chard is something like the old Woolworths shop, with a little bit of everything. A general department type store giving a wide choice would be very welcome I think.”

Cllr Dave Bulmer, town councillor and former Chard mayor, said: “I certainly do welcome the addition of Peacocks coming to Chard. They are another national retailer that many shoppers visit elsewhere in the country.

“They will clearly offer more choice to the local community which I would hope benefit the rest of Chard town centre by increasing footfall to our main shopping area.

“I appreciate it might not be everybody’s choice of retailer but it could be the start of something good for our town which might address other people’s shopping wishes in the long run.

“I believe other retailers will take notice of this and will be asking themselves how can they enhance their opportunities by investing in Chard. With that in mind there are opportunities for them to utilise the other vacant retail units.

“I sincerely believe that Peacocks would have done their research before coming to Chard and anticipate that investing in a town like Chard is viable business opportunity for them in the long run. Therefore, I would encourage other retailors to do the same.”

Chard town centre has three empty premises which the chain could be moving into, including the recently vacated Store Twenty One.