A NEW nationwide clothes shop looks set to open in the heart of Bishop Auckland.

Clothing retailer Peacocks Stores Ltd could move into the town's main shopping area, Newgate Street, as soon as September this year.

The Yorkshire Trading Company will make way for the new store, which is likely to undergo extensive refurbishment.

Peacocks Stores Ltd has applied to Wear Valley District Council for planning permission to carry out work on the premises.

A spokesperson for the company said the store would sell clothing ranges for men, women and children but that it was not yet decided whether to include footwear and home goods.

Laura Harvey, marketing assistant, said: "At the moment we hope to open a store in Bishop Auckland by the latter half of September, depending on planning approval and the extent of work to be carried out.

"It will be a 6,000 sq ft store, which is average for us, and we're looking forward to opening in a new town."

Peacocks also owns Bon Marche clothing store.

The firm has 380 stores across the UK, with 5,000 employees and is looking to move north.

There is already a Peacocks store in Spennymoor, which has boosted the town centre by occupying several units in the Festival Walk precinct.

The Northern Echo and Wear Valley Advertiser teamed up with traders in Bishop Auckland to launch a Shopping For A Future campaign, to support town centres, in February.

Readers responding to the campaign have called for a better selection of shops in the town.

No-one from the Yorkshire Trading Company was available for comment but staff at the shop say they have been told it is likely to close on July 19.