A WINCHESTER toy shop is relocating to a busier part of town and creating three new jobs.

Childhood's Dream will close on Southgate Street on August 24 and reopen at the Brooks Centre on Friday October 4.

It has agreed a lease with the shopping centre’s owners, London and Henley, to take over the unit previously occupied by H2O Mud and Snow.

Proprietor Susan Whyman said the upper High Street area has seen decreasing footfall which she blames on the High Street market discouraging shoppers venturing further uphill.

She said London and Henley's support for independent shops and their realistic approach to rent has also been key to attracting them to the Brooks.

Three new part-time jobs are also expected to be created by the move, plus additional staff for Christmas.

Mrs Whyman said: “It's been amazing just how much good will there is out there for the shop. Since we announced thatwe were moving, just about everyone coming into the shop has told us just how much they want us to stay in Winchester, and how much they like the toys we sell. We are also being made to feel really welcome by The Brooks.”

Childhood's Dream was established in 2008 and operates online too. In 2009, its in-house designed and developed software was short listed for the Winchester Business Awards. In 2012, turnover increased by 22 per cent over the previous year.

The opening is good news for the Brooks which has seen several closures recently including Specsavers, Your Life Your Style and H2O Mud and Snow.