Value retailer Primark has declined to comment on suggestions it is close to securing the former Debenhams store in Newbury’s Parkway shopping centre.

Debenhams closed all its branches at the beginning of the year but now Thames Tap understands Primark is close to a deal to take the shop.

A Primark spokesperson said: “We continually review opportunities for expansion of the Primark business. However, as you’d expect, we don’t comment on speculation about where or when we might open our next stores.”

Parkway owner Aberdeen Standard Investments also declined to comment.

Earlier this year, Parkway attracted Next to fill the former John Lewis unit and Primark is another retailer looking to open new stores in contrast to most of the retail scene where corporate operators are declining.

Earlier this month Primark said it plans to increase its number of UK stores from 398 to 530.

Newbury town centre was given a boost in footfall on Saturday, November 20 when an estimated 35,000 people attended the town centre Christmas lights switch-on festival.

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