PAIGNTON is predicting a prosperous summer, with numerous big-name national companies opening their doors in coming weeks.

Ahead of the Original Factory Shop opening in the old Rossiters store next month, Costa Coffee has announced it begins trading in Victoria Street on Wednesday.

Shopfitting work will be completed this week after a successful change-of-use planning application.

Bettesworths and Stratton Creber Commercial acted in joint instruction on the premises.

Paul Bettesworth said: "Costa are already represented in Torquay and I think it is a real shot in the arm for Paignton that such a strong national retailer sees the town as a target destination to open a store in the current economic climate.

"It is also another positive message to owners of High Street retail property that there are occupiers happy to consider the Torbay area, and we can find them.

"It is all too widely known that retailers' demand for new locations has been minimal in the last couple of years and, although there is not yet a charge for multiple acquisitions, lettings such as this illustrate that decent opportunities will be considered.

"The arrival of big names such as H&M and HMV support this.

"Victoria Street has a much more vibrant feel now, with very few shops remaining vacant.

"The feeling is more positive in Torquay also, with several new lettings and substantial freehold sales being agreed in Union Street and Union Square Shopping Centre."

Matthew Clarke, spokesman for the Paignton Business Partnership, also predicted a bright future for the town's economy. He said: "We welcome the timing of these new businesses coming to Paignton.

"The town's looking full of shoppers, and Wetherspoons in Torquay Road is being refurbished, Stead and Simpson is doubling its size in Victoria Street and we've got two purpose-built hotels coming.

"Let's just hope the owners of Crossways can do something productive there," he said.