A CARD Factory is due to open soon at the former police station in Westhoughton.

The national chain has erected the sign at the front of the future store, which will be based at the former station in Pavilion Square by Marsden Street.

It was originally going to be a Costa Coffee but the company pulled out of the premises after receiving planning permission.

Westhoughton town councillor David Wilkinson, representative for Hoskers and Hart Common, said Card Factory could create jobs for six or seven people.

Cllr David Wilkinson said: "A lot of people were disappointed when Costa Coffee pulled out but I think think the national scene has dried up a little bit for them so they decided not to go ahead with the shop in Westhoughton.

"It is a disappointment because I think a lot of people would have well and truly used it.

"But Card Factory coming in just shows that Westhoughton is a viable town centre and we are doing a lot better than some places.

"It is a company that obviously wants to invest in Westhoughton and there are six or seven people who will be able to get a job.

"It will mean some competition for other stores that sell cards but that is part of the economic world."

The reason for why Costa pulled out of Westhoughton has not been confirmed by the company.

But Cllr Wilkinson said the high street is still doing well and believes there are only around three empty units.

He said: "We do have a lot of people who have started a lot of independent businesses in the town. Obviously Card Factory is a national chain.

"But we have had several new places recently and most of the new businesses are independent and it is amazing the effort these people put into finding the money and converting the building.

"It is a big gamble, nobody ever knowns if the business is going to be an instant success. A lot of people have invested significant sums in the town centre. We should be very grateful."

Costa Coffee was granted planning permission for a new coffee shop at the police post in October.

But there were rumours that plans for the store had been shelved and this was confirmed when a new planning application was submitted in May to turn the site into a Card Factory.

As part of the plans to convert the premises, workers will remove the public waiting area, front desk, store room and interview room from the front of the building and change it into a retail area.

The former police staff room would also be transformed into a back-room office and the shower room would also be removed.

Westhoughton’s Pavilion Square is home to many small local businesses, including GeeTee's, Westhoughton Hardware and Chinese Pavilion, as well as wider known chains such as Domino’s Pizza.