Retailer's store bid to create 30 jobs

Retail giant Next has submitted plans to open a new home store in Shropshire which could create nearly 30 jobs.

The company wants to open up at the Bridge Retail Park in Telford in the former Allied Carpets unit, which shut when the firm went into administration in July last year.

It comes as fashion chain Next today posted "robust" half-year results following a 15 per cent rise in profits.

The improvement to £213 million profit in the six months to the end of July came despite a 1.5 per cent drop in like-for-like sales at its core high street business.

A planning statement submitted as part of the application for the new home store, said: "The intended occupier is Next, which intends to establish its 'home' store format at the retail park.

"The proposal will have a positive impact on the economic and physical regeneration of the area through facilitating the occupation of an existing vacant retail warehouse building.

"It will also provide improved consumer choice and provide full-time and part-time job opportunities.

"This is expected to create seven full-time and 22 part-time jobs."

Bosses hope the store would be open by March.

Telford & Wrekin Council's plans board will make a final decision on the application this year.