Next received an "overwhelmingly positive" response to their proposed £5 million Stevenage store.

On Saturday, August 17, Next began its public consultation and has received almost unanimous support for the plans to move into the Roaring Meg Retail Park.

So far, the high street retailer has received over 300 responses - with more than 95 per cent giving their full support for the plans. 

Many responses praised the move to keep Next in Stevenage and improve the retail offering of 9 Yards - formerly known as Roaring Meg Retail Park.

Next will move into the retail park when the lease on its existing store in the town centre runs out in May 2025. 

Having undertaken a comprehensive investigation into all other possible sites in Stevenage, the Roaring Meg was named the only realistic option for retaining the company in the town. The alternative was to leave Stevenage altogether.

There will be a £5 million investment into the new Next store offering fashion and homeware sections.

The new store will provide an additional 35 jobs, and safeguard the 41 jobs at the current store. 

In the most recent developments, a consultation took place, including a project website – www.roaringmegnext.co.uk – as well as issuing consultation leaflets inviting people to comment on the plans. 

The project team were also on-site at the Roaring Meg Retail Park on Saturday, 17, August to provide people with information and answer questions.

Following the consultation, Next estate manager, Gary Robinson, said: “We are really pleased at the fantastic response by residents in support of our plans and I would like to thank all those who have taken the time to respond to our proposals.

"We strongly believe Next remains a part of Stevenage’s retail DNA and see the prospective move to Roaring Meg as an opportunity to operate from a bigger store and keep delivering for our customers.”

Following the conclusion of the consultation, the next step will be submitting a full planning application to Stevenage Borough Council.