FIVE new retailers are expected to be announced for Darlington's Cornmill Shopping Centre within a fortnight.

The news follows the start of shop fitting at a 7,000sq ft double unit for HMV, expected to open on about Ocotber 10 and the arrival of Au Natural, which sells housewares.

Among those on their way will be a Chinese herbalist store and a health shop.

Centre manager Albion Small told the Town Centre Forum: "Within the next ten days, we will have another five retailers coming into the Cornmill. It's all down to our new owners and new letting agents. They are very dynamic."

A study in 1999 stated the centre appeared to be trading well, and the report stated there was very little difference and the centre was "in a similarly good state of health".