A HUGE new Next shop is to open in Bolton’s Market Place shopping centre.

The move is part of the ongoing refurbishment of the centre, and will see the store increase its stock from men’s and women’s wear to home furnishings.

Market Place manager Nikki Wilson-Cook said the larger 16,153 sq ft store will be located next to Debenhams and is due to open in mid-December.

Bolton Council leader Cliff Morris said he was delighted that the chain was expanding in the town centre — and said it was great news for Bolton.

He said: “It’s fantastic that an established chain such as Next is choosing to expand its offer in the Market Place.

"It shows their level of confidence in Bolton town centre and also the faith that they have in the refurbishment of the shopping centre.

“The new shop should be open in time for Christmas and the sales, which is great news.”

The unit that Next is moving into is currently vacant. Next already has stores at Trinity Retail Park close to the town centre and at Middlebrook.

A spokesman from Next confirmed the move.

He said: “The expansion in the Market Place is a natural progression for the company. It reflects our belief in the refurbishment currently taking place in the complex.”

Next’s current store near the entrance of the Market Place will become available for to let.

So far no other retailers have committed to taking the vacant space, but Ms Wilson-Cook said that several businesses had taken an interest.

There were rumours that Top Shop and Waitrose were set to take units in the centre but these were rejected by Ms Wilson-Cook.

She said: “We are delighted that Next are stepping up their offer. Footfall in the Market Place is 11 per cent up on last year and we are accommodating 8,500 cars weekly which is a big jump from 12 months ago.”

Meanwhile, she said work is progressing on the vaulted basement of bars and restaurants in the new-look centre.