A NUMBER of jobs are set to be saved in Brierley Hill after an agreement was reached to keep the popular WH Smith store in the Merry Hill shopping centre.

The stationery shop was set to close in June, but a last minute deal has been done between WH Smith and its landlord.

The announcement means that jobs which were under threat from the closure will also be saved.

A spokesman for WH Smith, which has been situated in intu Merry Hill for almost 30 years, said: “WH Smith is pleased to confirm that it will retain its presence in the Merry Hill Centre.

"Following further discussions with the landlord, we are pleased to have reached an agreement which allows us to continue to trade from this store.”

When a sign was placed into the stores window earlier this month claiming the store will close on June 8, the News spoke to Jonathan Day, intu Merry Hill’s marketing co-ordinator, who was reluctant to confirm the store was pulling out of the shopping centre.

Liz Taylor, intu Merry Hill’s general manager, said: “We are delighted that WHSmiths are staying at the centre.

“This news, along with the opening of a new flagship Topshop/Topman in April, shows that intu Merry Hill is a desirable location for the country’s best known and most popular retailers.

“We are always working hard behind the scenes to give our shoppers the very best experience and there are exciting times ahead.”

Fans of The Only Way is Essex will be queueing at the store’s doors this afternoon (May 20) as star Ferne McCann will be hosting a book signing event.

Also known for her appearance on the recent series of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out, Ferne will be in the Brierley Hill centre from 4pm.