Wokingham’s bookworms will be able to purchase their Christmas hardbacks from Waterstones soon after it was announced that the retailer is set to move in a Peach Place.

The news follows confirmation that GAIL’s artisan bakers and Cook frozen food retailer will also be in the town centre before Christmas.

Councillor Philip Mirfin, executive member for regeneration, said: “We’ve had many people telling us how much they miss having a great bookshop in the town centre and we’re really looking forward to welcoming Waterstones to Wokingham.

“Waterstones is the country’s favourite bookshop, renowned for its knowledgeable staff, wide selections and welcoming atmospheres.

“Despite being a national brand its ethos is very much to let its managers run each branch as a local bookstore reflecting the local community and delivering the best customer experience possible.”

James Daunt, managing director of Waterstones: “We consider ourselves very fortunate to have found in Wokingham such a large and attractive shop, and greatly look forward to turning it into a really good bookshop.”

Councillor Mirfin also revealed that two “high-end fashion retailers” are set to open stores in the town centre in the new year, and other independent retailers are touted to move in to the area in the coming months.

These stores are set to join businesses moving in at Elms Field, including Everyman Cinemas, Aldi and Premier Inn.

Waterstones’ move comes after the council’s opposition party, the Liberal Democrats, launched an attack on the Conservative administration for its “botched” town centre regeneration works, which they claim has affected high street sales.

A Lib Dem statement read: “There has been a lack of information about who is taking the new shops in Peach Place; this is naturally of great interest to the existing retailers.

“They want to see who their future competition will be and also need to know if the new retailers will be a draw to help increase footfall.

“Retailers told us that there needed to be a better mix of shops in the town centre.

“There was sadness amongst the retailers that M&S had left the town, this has damaged their businesses.”