NEXT has confirmed for the first time that it will keep its Worcester city centre shop open even if a £150 million out-of-town retail park goes ahead.

Bosses at the popular retailer have stated that they are prepared to keep two city outlets trading if the John Lewis-led complex at Worcester Woods gets the green light.

In recent months councillors have questioned the store's ambitions for its city shop, leading to fears bosses would close the central site down rather than have two.

The company has now confirmed that if the Worcester Woods site gets planing approval, Next will maintain both, with the new 'Next Home and Garden' creating 107 jobs.

It comes as developer Land Securities suggests it expects a decision by Worcester City Council this summer - something which the authority has played down.

A Next spokesman said: "We already have a strong presence in Worcester and we’re committed to maintaining that.

"The plans mean we can complement our city centre stores, which will continue to trade, with a new outlet at Worcester Woods.

"Bringing a Next dual format store to Worcester is an exciting opportunity to extend our commitment to the city.

"The proposed development at Worcester Woods is good news for job seekers and shoppers alike."

Land Securities has put out a statement backing the commitment, saying it believes the city council is "due to make a decision this summer".

But after this week the council only has two more summer planning committees scheduled, in July and August, and is still going through all the documentation over Worcester Woods.

An independent study into the proposed retail plaza's impact on the city centre also has yet to be published, with the council insisting it will be available in the immediate run-up to the committee debate.

The retail park will also include an Marks & Spencer store, Sainsbury's and John Lewis, with 13 units on the site in total, creating 551 jobs once they are all full.

M&S has previously said its High Street store would not be affected by Worcester Woods.

But four retail parks as well as Waitrose and House of Fraser have lodged objections to it, fearing it will harm their businesses and the city centre in general.

The retail park will span 240,000 sq ft and has been dubbed a 'mini Cribbs Causeway' by industry experts, with Worcester Woods fields located off Newtown Road.