The opening date for a huge new Next store taking over the former Newcastle Debenhams has been confirmed.
The popular retailer was announced to be taking over the flagship unit at Eldon Square early last year, almost three years after Debenhams pulled down the shutters in May 2021.
Speculation was rife over who could be taking over the site in the years that followed - and it emerged in October 2023 that a major retailer was on the verge of snapping it up.
Next, which already has a large store in the popular shopping complex, confirmed the move in March last year, and has since been revamping the space.
Now, huge signs have been erected around the entrance of the shop, confirming the opening date of the “exciting” new store as July 15.
Also on the huge signs is the confirmation that a Bath and Body Works will be opening on the same date alongside the new Next.
As previously reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a report in 2023 detailed how an unknown retailer was set to take on a 10 year lease on the two middle storeys of the former Debenhams, with talk about leisure operators on the ground and top floors.
Read More:
- Three Darlington schools closed due to burst water pipe on main road
- Family investment office pumps £1.3 million into sushi restaurant chain
There had been five offers from leisure companies to take over the huge Debenhams site, which was located off Newgate Street.
It was February this year that plans were finally unveiled for Freight Island, which is transforming the top floor of the old Debenhams into a rooftop entertainment hub.
New concept art revealed how the exciting new development would be home to the UK's first wine tanks and a specialist Aperitivo cocktail bar.
Share