WATERSTONES is opening two new stores in the county.

The popular retailer has announced the launches will be in the next few weeks.

The first will be in George Street, Hove, and the second in The Street, Rustington.

The George Street store will take the place of what used to be Clintons card store, which closed earlier this year.

Campaigners who have been on a quest to revamp the area believe the new addition is a big step forward.

Emma Dalton, founder of the Save George Street campaign, said: “I think it’s amazing.

“As a community we’ve been working so hard to improve the street, the look and feel of it.

“To have such a big and well-known store come to us is great.

“The response we’ve seen on social media has been phenomenal.

“Stores like WH Smith and Sussex Stationers do great things but they are not solely book stores.

“Waterstones will add a bit of healthy competition to the street. Everyone knows Waterstones.

“People travel into Brighton to go there.

“It will bring more people here and that can only be a positive.

“The street is already more vibrant than it has been in the past but this just adds to it

“Once we have some sustainable big high street stores others will follow.

“There are a couple of

vacant shops still here so hopefully they will be filled soon.”

Other shops in George Street are also delighted to be welcoming Waterstones.

Joanna, manager of Gail’s Bakery, said: “I think it’s going to be amazing as we don’t have a bookstore of that quality in this area so I think it will drive more people to George Street.

“A lot of people go to Brighton but maybe now they will come to Hove instead.”

Waterstones is regarded as one of the biggest book stores in the country.

The company already has more than ten outlets across Sussex, including the one in North Street, Brighton.

A statement from Waterstones said: “We are delighted to confirm that we will be opening two new Waterstones bookshops in Sussex, one in Hove and one in Rustington.

“The teams are working hard to get the shops ready and we will be back in touch as soon as we have confirmed opening dates and more information about the bookshops.”