NEXT to take over Debenhams store in intu Milton Keynes to sell 'premium beauty' products

The store will sell beauty, home and women’s fashion products and will open at a date yet to be confirmed with a "lifestyle offer"

A spokesman said: "This will allow NEXT to extend it’s fast growing premium beauty offer from online only into bricks and mortar. "

The store will be just a couple of hundred metres away from the new Harrods beauty store, which is due to open by the end of this year in the former House of Fraser premises.

The Harrods store will be called H Beauty and will sell a host of luxury skincare and beauty brands, including Chanel, Dior and Huda Beauty. Customers will also be able to have on the spot treatments such as facials and hair blow-dries.

The UK health and beauty market is set to grow by 8.8 per cent by 2024 according to Global Data when it will be worth an extra £2 billion.

Shelley Peppard, general manager at intu Milton Keynes has welcome the new NEXT.

She said: “We are delighted to make this announcement today and show that intu Milton Keynes continues to be a destination that brands want to invest in.

"This new partnership shows how important flagship destinations are to the future of retail. We are very impressed with NEXT’s ambition for its new concept."

Shelley added: “There are many positive movements in retail and confidence within the industry that will see further announcements and good news for our shoppers.”

Further details about the new store from NEXT can be expected soon.

Debenhams announced in June that their Milton Keynes store would not be re-opening again.

The retailer wasbeen unable to agree new terms with the landlord, Intu.

Debenhams stores in Watford and the Metro Centre, both of which are also owned by Intu, have also closed permanently.

A spokesperson for Debenhams said at the time: “Sadly we have been unable to agree terms with the landlord. As a result these stores will not be re-opening in line with the rest of the chain next week."

“We greatly regret the effect on our colleagues, who have served our customers with commitment and dedication."