HIGH Streets will be back on their feet next month when two former Woolworth stores reopen.

The Original Factory Store, which has taken on the Lydney premises, has announced it will open on September 8 and up to 25 jobs will be created there.

The store will sell branded and discounted clothing and a wide range of household goods including electrical items, toys and beauty and fragrance products.

The company, based in Burnley in Lancashire, operates 115 stores throughout the UK and has taken on around a dozen of the vacant Woolworths stores including one in Chepstow.

Company marketing manager Colin Leggitt said everything was set for the store to open on the date, or sooner.

"Everything has been going well with the store refit," he said. "So well that we may even bring the store opening date forward by a day or two."

In Cinderford, businessman Jose Carlos is expecting to open his new store Bom Dia (Portuguese for Good Day) by the third week of September.

The 46-year-old, who is originally from Portugal and now lives in Broadwell, wants to sell everything Woolies used to sell from his new store in the town's Triangle.

Jose said: "We're waiting for some stock to arrive at the moment and we're expecting to open in mid-September.

"We've already got stock ready to go including sweets but this delivery will be a bit of everything which includes school supplies and toys.

"We will build up what's in the store over time."

Cinderford town, district and county councillor Graham Morgan said: "It's brilliant news that the big gap in the town left by Woolworths is now going to be filled. I hope everyone will support the shop as it's just what Cinderford needs."