A NEW patisserie will open in Hampshire today creating 20 jobs.

The new outlet will be in the location where Maison Blanc was located previously on Winchester High Street.

That closed in March, but now Patisserie Valerie, which has more than 140 stores across the country, will open its doors and bring new life into Winchester High Street.

The opening is part of the brand’s expansion plan to open 20 new stores each year and it comes after the owner of the chain struck a deal to take over four Maison Blanc sites.

The café will serve the brand’s cakes and patisserie as well as coffee made by trained baristas.

Company chief executive CEO of Patisserie Holdings PLC, the group that owns Patisserie Valerie, Paul May said: “We’re very excited to be opening our new café in Winchester. We hope the town enjoys their new store and the delicious range of gateaux and patisserie we have to offer.”

The news comes as Winchester continues to have a stream of shops and outlets opening and closing.

On Winchester High Street Zoe Jewellers and Next have closed their doors, but at the same time Turtle Bay is due to open in Winchester and TK Maxx is also set to open in The Brooks.

City councillor Ian Tait believes that the addition of Patisserie Valerie is a good thing for Winchester and said changes to bus routes in the city could help it thrive.

Cllr Tait said: “I think something new coming in was always going to be the case because Maison Blanc made money but it closed because of ownership issues.

“With the buses not going through Winchester High Street, I think that will enhance the outside area so that the space outside Patisserie Valerie, where people sit will be nicer place to be.

“I think the addition of Patisserie Valerie has got to be a good thing for Winchester and they are offering what Maison Blanc offered anyway.”