Bookworms will once more be able to browse and buy from the heart of WGC after a major chain announced they were moving into the town.

Waterstones will open on July 25 in Howardsgate with a special Peter Rabbit family fun day.

The shop will include a cafe as well as a stock of close to 20,000 titles.

Welwyn Garden City has been without a bookshop since the closure last year of The Bookshop in the Howard Centre, a successor to the popular Maher The Bookseller.

Managing director, James Daunt, said: “We are very pleased to have found such a nicely sized and well positioned shop in which to restore to Welwyn Garden City a dedicated bookshop.

“We have been assiduously petitioned over the last year by Welwyn readers to open in the town and it is a pleasure to be able to do so with such panache.”

Sean Farrell, manager for Waterstones in Hertfordshire, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening a brand new bookshop in Welwyn Garden City.

“With its attractive design, wonderful range of carefully selected books and delicious cafe, our bookshop will be a real pleasure to browse, enjoy with the family and to visit with friends and catch up over a coffee.

“We are really looking forward to sharing our stunning shop with our customers.”