Australian retailer Smiggle creates eight jobs with new Preston store

International stationery retailer Smiggle is creating eight jobs with an opening at St George’s Shopping Centre in Preston.

The Australian company’s new store will be located next to Pandora, on the centre’s first floor.

Smiggle, which first launched in the UK in 2014, sells backpacks, pencil cases, stationery and gadgets featuring bold colours and graphics.

Smiggle MD John Cheston said: “We’re thrilled to be opening a store here in Preston. There really is nothing like Smiggle anywhere else on the high street.

“It’s important for us to inject fun into everything we do – from product design to store design, we will always focus on delivering to our fans the most original and playful stationery possible.”

St George’s already houses stationery brands Ryman Stationery and WHSmith, in addition to Danish homeware and accessories retailer Tiger.

Last year, the shopping centre invested in an overhaul of its Friargate, Lune Street and Fishergate entrances as part of a long-term strategy to attract more shoppers to Preston.

The general manager of St George’s Shopping Centre, Andrew Stringer, commented: “Smiggle is a new brand for St George’s and one of a string of global retailers choosing to open up in Preston.

“We already have a strong mix of stationery retailers in the shopping centre and Smiggle strengthens this offer further, with a fun and quirky twist. The product range is great and I look forward to the store opening.”

Smiggle will open its doors at St George’s on May 26.