CLOTHES retailer Next is planning to close its homeware store in Poole and re-open it as a clearance shop.

The company has lodged plans with Poole council as part of a review of its property portfolio.

It is proposing to combine its fashion and home furnishing offerings in one store by extending its unit at Wessex Gate Retail Park into the neighbouring one formerly occupied by Maplin.

The electronics company collapsed into administration earlier this year.

As part of the proposed shake-up, Next would close its Home store at Poole Retail Park in Branksome and convert it into a store selling a wider range of Next goods, including fashion and homewares, but at clearance prices.

The retailer has a number of similar stores across the country, which typically sell last season’s stock that has been heavily discounted. The nearest of these stores are in Farnborough, Hampshire and Street, Somerset.

The proposed clearance store in Poole would also include a café.

On behalf of Next, Q&A Planning has submitted a statement in support of the planning application.

They say the proposed combined fashion and homeware store at Wessex Gate Retail Park would result in a “larger full line store”.

“Nationally, Next no longer promote the ‘Home’ format on its own (i.e. without fashion sales) and in Poole are seeking to combine their fashion and home retail park representation consistent with their national strategy, whilst retaining their town centre presence at the Dolphin Centre.

“However, the consequence of this decision is that the Home only format as is trading at [Poole Retail Park] is no longer required to sell only Home items.

“Therefore, rather than the store being left empty, Next intend to convert it to a branded Next ‘Clearance’ store.”

They add the new store would provide “a new retail offer not currently available to the residents of Poole and the surrounding area”.

As reported previously in the Daily Echo, Next announced an 8.1 per cent drop in profits and a 0.5 per cent drop in sales in March.

Chief executive Lord Simon Wolfson said a “difficult year” had “prompted us to take a fresh look at almost everything we do”.

The chain is planning to create a travel agency and café in its Castlepoint store.