QUIRKY footwear retailer Schuh is planning to open a shop in Gloucester.
The popular high street company is said to be looking at King's Walk.
Ian Simpson , vice president of Gloucester Chamber of Tradesaid, said: "It's good they feel Gloucester is a good location for them to be opening.
"I would much rather see a shop occupied and trading rather than empty and boarded up."
The company and shopping centre were both unavailable for comment but council leader Paul James said: "If Schuh want to come to the city it would be a good addition."
The shopping centre has three empty units it could go into.
It is not yet known which shop they will take.
Shakeaway has stood empty for the longest and the former Jessops and Profile stores are also possible locations.
Schuh, based in Scotland, opened 16 new stores last year including in Bath, Cardiff St Davids and Cribbs Causeway.
It already has a presence in Gloucester with a concession in Republic.
Mr James hopes a spate of recent shop closures in the city centre has now come to an end.
"I would like to think over the next few months we will add a number of retailers to the city centre," he said.
"One of Gloucester's strengths is affordable fashion and the more retail we can bring to the city that builds on that the better."
He said work continued to fill the former Marks and Spencers store in Northgate Street after TK Maxx pulled out of a deal there.
"The council's economic development team has given the property team a list of potential people who might want to go in there.
"We know it might meet their requirements and that they are looking for a city centre location."
But he remained tight-lipped about who was on the list.
Emily Knight, 31, of Linden, said: "There are not many good brand name shoe shops in the city centre and it's great to hear another shop is being filled."
