A former Next store is to be converted into a food court, more than four years after the retailer left the site.
Hurstwood Holdings, the new owner of the Loreburne Centre in Dumfries, has been granted planning permission by the local council to create a new £500,000 indoor food village.
Next left the centre after its plans to relocate to Cuckoo Bridge retail park were met with opposition from councillors and planners in February 2017, with the Scottish Government also rejecting an appeal.
Despite a petition launched by staff, gathering more than 3,000 signatures, the shop closed with the loss of 25 jobs.
Next first opened in the mid-1980s on the former County Hotel site on the High Street, before moving into a unit in the nearby shopping centre.
However, it said turnover had fallen significantly since it opened on that site and argued that the unit no longer suited its business model.
The plans would see the transformation of the former unit with operators including local businesses, entrepreneurs and food providers.
This is the next stage of investment by Hurstwood, which has already committed more than £250,000 worth of immediate refurbishment works at the centre within the first six months of ownership.
The company is aiming to have the food village ready by Christmas.
Michael O’Hagan, manager of Loreburne Centre, commented: “We have a very definite vision of what we want to create here at the Loreburne Centre and it is crucial that we undertake every effort to reinvigorate and bring new life back to the vacant space if we are to ensure the future success of the centre.
“The last few years have been very challenging within the retail and leisure sector and the additional benefits that this food village will bring are infinite - not only will there be further job creation but it will also help support the local day and night-time economy.
“The food village is a vital step in our plan to improve the existing offering as we look to create a vibrant, dynamic and successful family destination where people, young and old, will want to meet.”
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