A STORE which claims to be Australia's most fun and colourful stationery retailer is set to open in Colchester town centre, creating eight jobs.

Smiggle, so-called because it is where a smile meets a giggle, will be opening its doors in Culver Square in the former Early Learning Centre on Friday, September 30.

The branch will be Smiggle's 82nd store and will feature a treasure trove of quirky products with the company's branding based on bold colour and graphics.

Store bosses are promising a range of giveaways and offers when the shop opens and managing director John Cheston said he wanted to bring more fun to the town centre.

He said: "We’re thrilled to be opening our 82nd store, in Colchester.

"There really is nothing like Smiggle anywhere else on the high street – and it will be great to see the public’s reaction when the doors open on September 30.

“It is 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.

"We look forward to welcoming families in our store who know of the brand and are excited for our arrival, as well as introducing the colourful world of Smiggle to new fans in the area.”

Smiggle was founded in Melbourne by Stephen Meurs and Peter Pausewang in 2003 and acquired by the Just Group in July 2007.

The company began by expanding across Australia and then into New Zealand and Singapore before opening stores in the UK.