The new owner of the Next building in Middlesbrough has been confirmed.

The building, on Linthorpe Road, has been purchased by Linthorpe 54 Limited – a firm owned by Nasser Din and his business partner, Zahid Iqbal.

This was revealed after Mr Din confirmed the company had acquired the former M&S building on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough.

He said the company plans to invest in the area and fight against the “neglect” Middlesbrough has suffered over the years - and added this is part of their greater scheme to help revitalise the town centre.

“Over the last six months, we’ve basically purchased the next building. It’s rented by Next, which is over the road from Marks and Spencer.

“That was the first building we bought.”

He added it has not yet been confirmed what the plans are for the former M&S building, but he said the firm are “working on things.”

He said he hopes to work with the owners of the House of Fraser and Debenhams buildings in Linthorpe Road to help breathe life back into the town centre.

He added he hopes the new plans his firm are drawing up can help attract customers from “far and wide.”

Mr Din said: “As yet, it hasn’t been confirmed what we are going to do, but there are various ideas, we are working on things.

“We will be announcing shortly a scheme we’re looking at doing. Obviously, we are looking to work with the relevant authority as well.

“All towns throughout the country have suffered since Covid, many have failed, many have gone to rock bottom. Middlesbrough’s a town that has suffered from what I call neglect, and lack of investment over the years.

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“I’m still confident town centres can be revived, but maybe a different mix of businesses will attract shoppers.

“Health, living, entertainment, shopping, eating, all of these things. Have a good mix of quality as well as just discounted stores will give a better variety and attraction for people coming to shop in the town.”

The Northern Echo have contacted Next for comment.