Mixed reaction to Falkirk's two new retailers

Shoppers said goodbye to WH Smith last year, but now Poundworld is moving into the vacant premises in the High Street and opens for business today.

There was more good news for the nearby Howgate Centre when Glasgow-based Watt Brothers Ltd announced it was coming to town.

No opening date has been confirmed for the store, which is taking over the vacant HMV and Argos units, but it is believed the business will be up and running in time for summer.

The long-established Watt Brothers sells a wide range of well-known branded products, including an extensive range of ladies and gents clothing and accessories, golf wear and accessories, linens, housewares, electrical, health and beauty, perfumes and aftershaves, jewellery, watches, books, toys, luggage, gardening items, food and confectionery.

Falkirk BID manager Alex Fleming said: “When you have two names like Poundworld and Watt Brothers it goes to show there is growing confidence again in our town centre. Watt Brothers is a well-established company, albeit in the west of Scotland, and they are ideally suited for the Howgate.

“It’s great to see this level of investment in Falkirk and to see these firms want to come to the town.”

Falkirk Herald Facebookers had mostly negative things to say about the new shops.

Philip Vass: “Proves Falkirk just can’t attract any major retailers particularly both malls as all the major names go to the retail park. The Howgate is slowly going downhill even further.”

Michael Moir: “What are town centre management and the council doing? This may be some good news but the High Street is a disgrace. Reduce rents, encourage small independent business back and dare I say, rip up the mono block and let the traffic flow again.”

Jack Archibald: “Love Watt Brothers. Another excellent shop for Falkirk.”

Christine Flynn: “Whoever is deciding to let these shops in needs to get a grip. I couldn’t believe it when I saw a pound shop in the old WH Smith space.”