A national chain will open a new branch in a Wiltshire shopping centre.
Grape Tree, a business selling healthy foods, vitamins, and supplements, is preparing to move into the former Body Shop unit at The Shires Shopping Centre in Trowbridge.
Shopping centre manager Sarah Moore said that a deal had been struck for the chain to open a store in the space, which has been empty since the end of March.
She confirmed work had started to transform the unit and prepare it for the opening of the new shop.
This has seen barriers placed in front of the shopfront while internal and external redecoration is carried out.
Mrs Moore said: “We don’t have an opening date yet but the fit-out started on Tuesday (July 9).
“It’s all signed, sealed, and delivered, and the work is in progress.
“I’m very pleased to see the unit filled so quickly.”
READ MORE: The Body Shop to close three Wiltshire stores but one will stay open
Grape Tree was contacted for comment over a potential opening date for its latest branch but had not responded at the time of writing.
Previously its nearest store to Trowbridge had been in The Emery Gate Shopping Centre in Chippenham.
The business was established by Nick Shutts and Nigel Morris, who together built the hugely successful Julian Graves brand.
Grape Tree promises customers a selection of “the finest natural whole foods”, and is a registered British Organic retailer offering “natural, organic, free from, vegan, and vegetarian” products.
The move fills a whole left by The Body Shop, which announced Trowbridge would be one of 75 stores closing in March because of a heavy restructuring aimed at preserving the brand.
It comes just days after The Shires confirmed Poundland, previously one of its flagship stores, would be leaving the centre.
The retail chain owned by Pep & Co Group is currently based at Unit eight but is set to depart.
SEE ALSO: Poundland store to close its doors in Wiltshire shopping centre
At the time, Mrs Moore added: “We are saddened to confirm that Poundland has decided not to renew their lease at the centre.
“Despite extensive negotiations, an agreement could not be reached.
“Looking forward, we are excited to welcome new businesses to The Shires in the coming months, enhancing the shopping experience for our community.”
Poundland did not comment on the closure.
The Shires is owned by London & Cambridge Properties and is managed through the Bristol office.
It has 56 units occupying 123,703sq feet of area.
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