The general manager at intu Watford says there has already been "significant interest" in the vacant John Lewis site.
It has been a turbulent time for Watford's indoor shopping centre after intu went into administration and Debenhams and John Lewis closed.
Retail may be hit further by the pandemic but it appears the outlook at intu Watford may be more positive.
This week, the Observer announced that Next Beauty is set to replace Debenhams in the intu Watford extension.
But the loss of the historic John Lewis department store has left another huge hole in the shopping centre - although it may not be empty for too long.
intu Watford general manager Vicki Costello said: "We are excited to have re-let the former Debenhams unit to a leading UK brand that will bring an exciting new offering to Watford, and, whilst we are disappointed to see John Lewis leave the centre, we have received significant interest in this prime location from several leading businesses.
"Last month, we welcomed a brand-new store to the centre, luxury watch brand Tag Heuer, who have already reported excellent sales and an encouraging response from visitors.
"Over the coming months, we will also announce further new openings as intu Watford continues to bring exciting brands to the town centre."
intu Watford general manager Vicki Costello. Credit: Holly Cant
Read more: Official closure of John Lewis in Watford announced
Read more: Next Beauty store set to replace Debenhams in Watford
intu Watford says that 90 per cent of its shops are currently open and visitor numbers are increasing every week.
Wearing a face mask inside the shopping centre is mandatory, unless there is a medical reason not to wear one, while there are other social distancing measures in place like a one-way system.
The administrator for intu Properties, KPMG, reported on August 8 that footfall at intu Watford was at 60 per cent of 2019 levels.
Earlier this, week KMPG issued an update on intu's centres, after one of the biggest sites - the Trafford Centre in Manchester - was put up for sale.
A spokesman said: "Over the next few months, central services for the companies which own the shopping centres will gradually migrate to alternative providers under our supervision.
"In the meantime, the shopping centres continue to operate and trade as normal, under the control of their directors."
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