intu Watford has confirmed the store which will replace the doomed Debenhams.

The shopping centre operator has announced Next has signed a deal to move into the empty shop.

The shop will focus on beauty, home, and women's fashion and is part of the retailer's concept to launch beauty halls.

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

General manager at intu Watford, Vicki Costello, said: "We are delighted to make this announcement today and show that intu Watford 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.

"There are many positive movements in retail and confidence within the industry that will see further announcements and good news for our shoppers."

Watford Observer:

Watford's mayor, Peter Taylor, added: "This is really good news for our town centre. It is a sign of business confidence in our shopping centre that Next are investing in this new store, which will bring new jobs to Watford.

"I have had several people contact me who are interested in opening in the shopping centre and this shows that despite the difficulties of the last few months, they recognise that there are thousands of people who come to our town centre every day to shop, enjoy a meal and meet friends.

"There has been a lot of work that has gone in to making sure that our town centre can welcome people back safely.

"I would encourage people to support local businesses as much as possible in the weeks ahead and to continue to follow the health advice to socially distance, wear a mask in shops and clean your hands often.

"Together we can reduce the spread of this virus and help local businesses to get back on their feet."

The announcement confirms the story published last week by the Observer which said Next is set to take on a contract for the Debenhams site.

intu also announced today that the closed Debenhams store in Milton Keynes will be turned into a Next Beauty store.

The opening date for Next Beauty in Watford is still to be confirmed, while the Observer understands the retailer will only take one floor of the Debenhams store.

The existing Next store at intu Watford is set to stay.

Debenhams closed earlier this year, not even two years after it opened as the flagship store of the £180 million intu Watford extension.

Watford Observer:

Meanwhile, Ms Costello said last week that there has been "significant interest" from "several leading businesses" in the vacant John Lewis site in the shopping centre.

She also said that footfall is increasing week-on-week at intu Watford and that 90 per cent of the mall's stores are open.

intu Properties, which operates 17 shopping centres in the UK, including Watford, remains in administration but its centres continue to trade as normal for now.