FASHION giants Next and H&M will open new stores at the former Woolworths in Hounslow, it was announced today.

The clothes chains will each open two-storey 26,000 sq ft shops at the Treaty Centre, in Hounslow High Street, subject to planning permission.

Quidnet Capital, which owns the shopping complex, said their addition would bring 'new life and prosperity' to the town centre, where a £2.75 refurbishment project began last month.

Nick Tribe, a partner in the company, added: "The arrival of these exciting new brands will help put Hounslow High Street back on the west London retail map.

"What Hounslow Town Centre now needs is new leisure and restaurant uses to complement the High Street’s strengthening retail offer so more people are attracted to the heart of Hounslow."

Stephen Fry, chief executive of Hounslow Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the news, saying it would give an 'enormous boost' to the High Street and existing businesses.

A planning application was submitted to Hounslow Council this week. The Next store will offer its full fashion ranges and will include a homeware section and a coffee shop overlooking the High Street, should it get the go-ahead.

The announcement came on the day Hounslow Council's cabinet is due to choose a developer to transform the car park site beside ASDA. Legal and General, owner of the Blenheim Centre, which is home to the supermarket, is believed to be the favourite of the three bidders vying to take on the £100 million project.

Woolworths closed its Hounslow branch in January 2009, along with hundreds across the country, after the firm went into administration.

The site was taken over by discount store Pound or 2 Plus but that shut in November last year, with the owners blaming competition from rival pound stores, and the space has been empty since then.