WHSmith to open Amersham store

A WHSMith spokesperson said: "It will be one of our typical high street stores, selling stationery products, newspapers and magazines." She added it will open in the Spring.
Amersham's mayor Martin King said the announcement was positive for the community. He said: "The worst thing is empty shop fronts. It gives the place a look of being run down. The good thing about Amersham is when things do start to turn around with the economy, people do want to invest in it."
He said he did not believe it would adversely affect other businesses. He added: "It's the nature of competition Marks & Spencer sells newspapers as well - it's called having a healthy market."
But the owners of family-run business RM Terry Newsagents, which is also based in Sycamore Road, said the presence of the new store could have an effect on their business. Owner Dilip Patel, who has run the independent shop for a decade, said: "It's been quiet since before the summer and we don't know yet what the effect will be. I think It's a worry for other shops too. Unfortunately you can't compete with the multinationals. We will just have to wait and see." His wife Kalpna added: "Even if it does bring extra people to the area, it will affect us because we sell the same things."
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