A giant clothing and homeware store is to open at an out-of-town retail park.

UK chain Next is moving into Hollingbury industrial estate, north of Brighton. It will join other superstores Matalan, Argos and Brantano.

The 9,000sqft new store will be open in time for Christmas and will create dozens of jobs.

It will occupy the former premises of Carpetright in Carden Avenue. Shopfitting is taking place at the moment.

Next's parent company Next Retail Ltd said the number of staff posts would not be decided until the management was appointed and business plans were drawn up.

However, the nearby 21,000sqft Matalan employs more than 80 people and Asda, at almost 5,000sqft, employs 350 full and part-time staff.

A spokeswoman for Next said: "I can confirm that we are opening a new store in Brighton at Hollingbury Retail Park in December.

"It will offer womenswear, menswear, childrenswear and homewares.

"New jobs will be created and I will have the actual numbers nearer the time. We will get them probably at the end of October."

The store has already advertised for staff in The Argus. It is looking for sales managers, full and part-time supervisors, sales consultants and stockroom assistants.

Next trades from more than 380 stores in the UK and Ireland and 80 franchise stores overseas.

During the last few years several larger format stores have opened across the UK.

The company also markets its products via a successful 900-page home delivery catalogue called the Next directory and an online shopping service.

Last month Carpetright revealed like-for-like sales for the 15 weeks since the end of April were down 7.5 per cent on last year.

There is still a Brighton store at 1 Pelham Terrace, off Lewes Road, next to B&Q.

Monday, September 12, 2005