Stores giant Next has reported a two per cent rise in full price sales for the third quarter as its massive new outlet in Gloucester nears completion.

The fashion retailer is due to open its impressive new Gloucester store in St Ann Way opposite the Quays on March 19.

The shop covers 43,000 square feet and will offer furniture and homeware as well as clothing with two mezzanine floors and a café.

It is part of a major redevelopment of the tired looking Peel Centre by Peel Group Property who also own Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet Centre.

The whole area is undergoing a transformation. Earlier this month approval was given for more than 400 new homes are to be built on a key canal side site at nearby Monk Meadow.

The site belongs to the Peel Group and they will partner Crest Nicholson in the £65 million scheme.

The 411 homes will be built in an area bounded by the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, Sainsburys store and Hempsted Lane/Secunda Lane.

The scheme includes more than 350 flats and 53 houses. The site will be accessed off the existing Sainsburys access roads which link off Hempsted Lane and St Ann Way.