A TOWN centre has been given an economic boost with the opening of WHSmith this week and news that a development company plans to invest more than £600,000 in the former Jobcentre.

Retailer WH Smith will welcome its first customers tomorrow to the former Curry’s store in Deal High Street.

Mayor of Deal Cllr Jim Cronk will perform the shop’s official opening ceremony at 9.30am on Saturday.

In Queen Street Reef Estates Limited has applied for planning permissison to turn the empty jobcentre into a pub.

Director Stewart Deering said the company is working with the Barracuda Group and plan to transform the building into a Smith & Jones bar.

He said: “We have partnered many schemes with Smith & Jones and will be investing more than £600,000 into revitalising the site."

Mr Deering said his company would take over the building and lease it to the Barracuda Group.

He added that if an operator of Smith & Jones’ calibre did not take the space the building could lie vacant for a long time.

“Smith & Jones are a restaurant and bar operation who have won a host of awards, particularly over the last few years.”

He added that Smith & Jones bars combine a mixture of contemporary and traditional features, including heavy wooden tables and comfortable leather seating, real fires, authentic fittings and exterior features that fit in with the community.