POUNDLAND and a 24-hour gym headline the list of new additions to Eden - which shows businesses have confidence in High Wycombe as a retail destination, the centre director says.

Discount chain Poundland replaces furniture retailer Cargo – which relocated next to GAP earlier this month – in the High Wycombe shopping centre.

Fitness fanatics will be able to work up a sweat in Anytime Fitness which will be open 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, from the New Year.

Photographic portrait studio, Lifestyle Images, will be based in unit 83 and Stacks, which sells luggage and bags, has moved into the former Sony store.

Eden has moved quickly to replace Mr Simm’s Olde Sweet Shop with Grape Tree, a new concept food store from the founders of Julian Graves.

This follows hot on the heels of women's clothes shop Quiz, restaurants Pizza Express and Ranch Burger, as well as seasonal lettings in Calandar Club and Menkind opening their doors.

Eden’s Centre Director Daniel Tomkinson said: “The recent commitment of a number of retailers, including Poundland, to Eden is a sign of confidence in the centre and High Wycombe as a retail destination.

“Despite well-documented on-going economic difficulties being experienced across the country, there is a return to optimism in the longer-term prospect.

“Indeed our existing stores are continuing to invest with recent re-fits having taken place at Two Seasons, Clintons, Bhs, Linens Direct and Adorn Beauty, which has expanded to double the size of its previous store.

“The numbers of customers visiting Eden remains ahead of last year and with these new brands adding to the line-up of more than 110 stores and restaurants, Eden continues to offer great choice for retailers and customers.”

The Christmas market also returns to the shopping centre this week.