AS ONE shoe store closes in Dorchester another is due to open in its place.

National chain Hotter is due to open up in South Street in premises previously owned by Stead and Simpson.

The new shop is promising to create 12 jobs when it opens early next month.

The Dorchester branch will become Hotter’s 55th store nationwide, with the company bucking the economic trend having opened an average of one new store a month since February 2010.

Hotter says it will offer a full shoe fitting service by friendly staff for its British designed footwear.

Retail director John Nicholas commented: “We are looking forward to giving our customers a warm welcome and a level of service which will really make us stand out. “Shoppers will immediately notice the care and attention we devote to finding them shoes that fit perfectly; they’ll be leaving our store with a spring in their step and a smile on their face.”

He added: “Hotter Shoes is the UK’s biggest shoemaker and we are committed to designing and making footwear that our customers will love.

“We will make over a million pairs of shoes in our Lancashire factory this year and each pair is carefully crafted with lightweight, flexible soles, wiggle room for toes, super soft leathers and soft underfoot cushioning.

“We have millions of customers nationwide and they tell us once you’ve tried on a pair of Hotter Shoes, you’ll understand the true meaning of comfort and never want to take them off.

“We hope the shoppers of Dorchester will enjoy this feeling too!”

A new team is currently being recruited for the store and details of the opening date will be finalised shortly.

Chairman of the Dorchester BID Peter Legg said he was glad that a new business was coming in to take up the store so soon after the closure of Stead and Simpson.

He said: “While obviously it’s sad to see a business go, it’s brilliant that another business has seen a good opportunity in Dorchester and wants to come in and provide employment and a shopping opportunity for people in the town.

“I’m very pleased and it shows we must be doing something right.”

Stead and Simpson is not the only store closing down in Dorchester town centre, with closing down signs also appearing at the New Curiosity Centre in Weymouth Avenue.

Other high street changes have seen vintage store and tea room Reloved open in South Street and the Durnovaria Wine Bar is due to open in the building formerly occupied by Starbucks.