WATERSTONE'S the booksellers this week confirmed it was to open in Darlington in the summer.

The national company is moving into the former Dressers' store on High Row which has stood empty for almost four years. The imposing premises are considered a key town centre site.

Lucy Aviary, spokesman for Waterstone's, could not say how many jobs would be created.

"But it is going to cover two floors and will have a coffee shop and 5,548 sq ft of trading space," she said on Wednesday.

Dressers closed in April 2001 and the lack of any new occupant in the prime location has been a cause of concern to the council and other traders.

Bertie, the Bishop Auckland-based designer clothes store, bought the building in October 2003 but its plans to open a store never came to fruition.

Waterstone's will lease the premises and scaffolding is expected to go up on Sunday in readiness for conversion.

News that the building is to at last be occupied was welcomed by Coun John Williams, leader of Darlington Borough Council, who said it was good news for plans to pedestrianise the town centre.

"The property is a prime location that will be at the centre of the proposed pedestrianisation," he said. "This is early confirmation that the scheme will attract major high street names to Darlington."

Susan Young, secretary of Darlington Chamber of Trade, was equally pleased. "It's going to really make High Row look excellent," she said.