There is good news for the high street as one of its most popular sports shops - especially for those who worship trainers - reported a 50 per cent rise in revenues.

Retailer JD Sports, which is also aiming to open a 'warehouse style' store in Cheltenham it claims will create 20-plus jobs, has released its most recent sales figures.

Giving a welcome boost to those yearning for some good news for the struggling retail sector, the business, which has a store in Eastgate Shopping Centre, Gloucester, saw takings rise to £4.7 billion and a 15 per cent rise in profits.

Peter Cowgill, executive chairman of JD Sports, said: "We firmly believe that the elevated and dynamic multi-brand e-multi-channel proposition of the core JD fascia, which enjoys the ongoing support of the key international brands, has the necessary agility to continue to exceed consumer expectations and prosper in an increasing number of international markets."

During the last 12 months the company has opened 56 new stores across Europe and expected to open another 39 this year.

Punchline-Gloucester.com revealed just last month the retailer, which has 355 stores across the UK as well as outlets in East Asia, had made an application to move into the former DFS store on the Gallagher Retail Park in Cheltenham.

It currently has 85 warehouse style stores in retail parks across the UK, and its proposed Cheltenham outlet would cover 730 square metres.

The application made to Cheltenham Borough Council by developers Montagu Evans is for a variation to the existing permissions in unit FA on the site.

JD Sports' application states 22 jobs could be created, seven of which would be full-time and for 15 part-time positions.

In other news, the business is expected to buy Footasylum in £90 million in a cash deal.

Read more: Sports fashion giant coming to Cheltenham