THE luxury brand Harrods will open a brand new store in the Metrocentre - complete with a champagne bar, it has been confirmed.

Bosses have confirmed the Harrods-owned, H Beauty will open in a huge 30,000 sq ft unit in the 'Town Square' next year.

It comes as JD Sports and H&M will also move into bigger "flagship" units with those expected to open between April and June, next year.

Confirming a 20-year lease has been signed with H Beauty, the store is expected to stock luxury brands including Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana and Hourglass.

Graeme Jones of Sovereign Centros, the asset and development managers at the Metrocentre, described the move as exciting for the centre's future.

As Harrods moves in, a number of significant changes will take place with current retailers relocating to bigger and more prominent units.

JD has signed a 10-year lease on a 28,000 sq ft flagship store in Platinum Mall upsizing from their existing 10,000 sq ft store in Upper Red Mall.

The store is being created by combining four existing units currently occupied by Flannels, Game, HMV and Paperchase all of whom are being relocated to new stores within the centre.

H&M have said they are expanding their existing store in Red Mall into a new 25,000 sq ft flagship which will incorporate their new Home concept.

The new store is being created by relocating Hugo Boss into a new adjacent store.

Mr Jones said: "These lettings really reinforce how retail in these powerful major regional centres is changing, replacing the hitherto reliance on the old department store formats as anchors with new and exciting concepts and brands which will be much more interactive for the shopper.

"These quality fashion brands are a major draw for our customers. There is a lot more to come over the coming months with some other exciting lettings lined up," he added.

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