Plans for high street fashion and homeware retailer Next to open a £5 million store at 9 Yards - formerly the Roaring Meg Retail Park - in Stevenage have taken a step forward.

Next is planning to take over the former TruGym and Partyman units at the retail park off London Road when the lease on its existing store in The Forum ends in May next year.

Planning permission for external alterations and refurbishment of the two units was granted in 2021, but now owner Stevenage Retail Limited has applied to amend the plans to "support the long-term occupation of the units, which are currently vacant, by a key national operator".

The proposed changes include the installation of additional glazed entrance doors and new shopfront glazing.

Meanwhile, before submitting its own planning application for the site, Next has held a public consultation, with 95% of the 300-plus responses in full support of the plans.

The chain says the proposed move will safeguard the 41 jobs at the current Stevenage store, with all staff transferring to the new store, as well as creating an additional 35 jobs.

However, if planning permission for the move is not granted by Stevenage Borough Council, the retail chain, which has been in Stevenage since 1989, has warned it will be forced to leave the town.