Member Article

Next to bring new jobs to Metrocentre at former BHS site

British multinational clothing, footwear and home products retailer Next has announced it will open one of its biggest UK stores at Metrocentre in early 2018, bringing a raft of new jobs to the region.

Following the fall of British department store BHS, rival retailers across the country are snapping up lucrative sites formerly owned by the retailer.

Metrocentre owners intu will reconfigure 85,000 sq ft for the new store, doubling the fashion chain’s existing floor space when it opens in early 2018 at what is one of Europe’s largest shopping and leisure centres.

A Next Home will continue to operate at intu Metrocentre’s retail park alongside the new store.

Kate Grant, regional director at intu, said: “This fantastic new space at the heart of intu Metrocentre will build on the strength of what is already one of Next’s most successful stores, allowing them to attract even more customers and create a number of new jobs.”

The work forms part of an ongoing investment programme at intu Metrocentre which has seen a refurbishment of the shopping centre’s Platinum Mall which has just seen the opening of Flannels and Carluccios as well as an extension to its dining and leisure quarter Qube.

House of Fraser at intu Metrocentre extended its beauty hall by 2,346 sq ft as part of a £5 million refit of the ground floor and café area this year and the centre’s Primark opened a 7,739 sq ft extension to its ground and first floor levels in the summer.

Kate added: “It’s a significant investment by Next that sits alongside our own investment programme and similar expansions by House of Fraser and Primark this year, representing a long-term commitment to intu Metrocentre and the north east region as a thriving retail destination.”