A CAMPAIGN has begun against a �1 shop opening in a former Woolworths store. Nearly 300 people have signed up to an anti-Poundworld Facebook group, after the company announced managerial job vacancies in Hitchin on its website. A Poundworld spokesman co

A CAMPAIGN has begun against a �1 shop opening in a former Woolworths store.

Nearly 300 people have signed up to an anti-Poundworld Facebook group, after the company announced managerial job vacancies in Hitchin on its website.

A Poundworld spokesman confirmed that the company is in discussion with the landlords of the large High Street site, but no contracts had yet been signed.

Group member Rebecca Attrill said: "Poundworld taking over the centre of Hitchin - our beautiful Woolworths spot - are they serious? Is the 9TP shop not enough?

"We have Stevenage five minutes away. The question is do we really need another cheap shop running our High Street?

"We need to do our best to encourage great brands to invest in our little but perfectly formed market town."

Town centre manager Keith Hoskins said: "Although they are advertising for jobs, other companies have done this and the arrangements have fallen through. At the moment its watch this space.

"There's a legitimate case to be made for the lower cost end of the market and if it's bringing people to town then who are we to say no to it? We don't have any statutory right to say they can't come here unless it's a material change of use.

"Presumably if a premises opens and people don't like it then they won't shop there.

"We certainly would be pleased to see it occupied. Whether that will please everyone's aspirations in the town, I very much doubt.