High street fashion giant Next is to open a new store at a Liverpool city region retail park. Andrew Brown reports
National retail chain Next is preparing to open a new store at Meols Cop retail park in Southport.
It is part of the recent rejuvenation of the park, which in recent months has seen the expansion of Home Bargains; the opening of a huge new Sainsbury’s and Argos superstore; and the arrival of other new tenants such as Hobbycraft and PureGym.
Next would open in the former Currys unit at 2A Meols Cop Retail Park. The retailer closed its shop on Lord Street in Southport town centre in January 2023, but still operates a shop at Central 12 retail park on Derby Road in Southport.
Savills, which runs Meols Cop retail park, is seeking planning consent from Sefton Council to alter the appearance of the unit, on behalf of their client, UBS Global Asset Management (UK).
The retail park comprises 10 retail warehouse units. Unit 2A is currently vacant having most recently been temporarily occupied by Currys. To the north, the adjacent Unit 2B/ 2C is now occupied by Home Bargains, with Halfords (Unit 1B) and Bensons for Beds (Unit 1A).
In the application Savills said: “The application seeks permission for a series of works to the existing front elevations of Unit 2A, introducing more glazing to the shopfront and giving the building a more modern aesthetic.
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The application is made to suit the trading requirements of a prospective tenant, Next. The proposed development seeks to significantly improve and enhance the appearance of the units by updating the design of the elevations and utilising modern, high quality materials.
“The proposal does not change the principal function or the appearance of the retail park. We request that the application is approved without delay.”