Next in line...

THUMBS up . . . Spindles and Town Square manager Mike Flanagan outside the former BHS unit in the lower mall

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

FASHION retailer Next is set to move into the former BHS unit in Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre, tripling the size of its current store.

The shop will relocate from the upper mall to the lower mall space of the unit previously occupied by BHS which closed last August after the firm went into administration.

It will see Next increase its shopping area to around 15,000 sq ft giving it the opportunity to sell menswear and expand their women and children's ranges.

Work to prepare the store is under way with the firm looking to be trading by late autumn. A Next spokesman said "We're excited to have secured this fantastic space within the prime retail destination of Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre."

Delighted centre manager Mike Flanagan said: "This investment is a further example of our commitment to improve the retail offer for customers within the shopping centre and adds to the work the local authority are doing to rejuvenate the town centre, with the opening of the Odeon Cinema complex and Parliament Square."

The announcement comes as Oldham Council revealed its ambitious masterplan to transform and reinvigorate the town centre over the next 20 years.

Council leader Jean Stretton said: "This is more fantastic news for Oldham.

"Next is a multi-national retail giant and I know people will be delighted to hear they are opening a bigger store and improving choice in our town centre.

"Our award-winning Old Town Hall cinema and restaurant complex has been a huge hit and there is much more good news to come.

"Our new town centre masterplan goes to Cabinet on Monday. This looks to remodel Oldham and help it become a more vibrant place with high-quality attractions, an excellent cultural and shopping offer and a night-time economy that make it stand out as a destination within Greater Manchester."

An announcement on the top floor unit above the new Next store is due to made soon.