Construction has begun on the new Next store at the Peel Centre in Gloucester as part of the wider £14 million regeneration scheme by Peel Land and Property.

The eye-catching glass-fronted building will be one of Next's new-look "dual-format" stores, the first in the South West of England, and includes two mezzanine floors, covering 28,000sqft, plus a café. It will sell a wide range of furniture and homeware as well as clothing.

Mark Whittaker, group property director at Peel Land and Property, who own and manage Peel Retail Parks, said: "We're pleased to confirm work has started on this exciting new project for Gloucester Retail Park, which is Next's very latest design and will be a significantly high profile building for the city, attracting more shoppers to Gloucester

"With this building work now underway, we look forward to moving forward with the transformation of this site, with phase two including the refurbishment of remaining units, including the former cinema.

"Next is going to bring the 'wow factor' to the retail park, ultimately helping to widen the appeal of the city attracting more people to Gloucester."

Initial work carried out at the Gloucester Retail Park site includes creating site access while maintaining the retail car park and customer experience while the work takes place. Following this, work will begin on the foundations, drainage and site infrastructure works before the main build works take place.

Retail construction specialists Midas Retail Limited have been awarded the contract, with the main build works due to be completed and handed over to 'Next' in Autumn 2018. Next will then commence fit out works with an aspiration to be trading for Spring 2019.

The store will replace the existing Next store in Quedgeley and staff will be relocated to Gloucester Retail Park.