A MAJOR UK clothing store looks set to be moving into an empty Workington department store.

TK Maxx, a well-known department store with premises all over the country, will be moving into the former Debenhams store in the Washington Square shopping centre, the Times and Star understands.

The building has stood empty since Debenhams closed its doors in May last year when the department store chain was plunged into administration nationally.

A planning application was submitted to Allerdale at the beginning of this month, that would see the former Debenhams store, converted into a unit to house 'a leading national clothing retailer'. 

READ MORE: Application submitted for alterations to former Debenhams store

Although the applicant has chosen to remain anonymous at this stage, the Times and Star has been informed that the interested party is confirmed as lifestyle and clothing brand TK Maxx.

Rumour's circulated that a potential retailer for the space may be major chain Primark who expanded into Cumbria with a Carlisle store in 2016, however this was denied by the clothing chain last week.

The plans say that the “high-quality” external works proposed to the shopfront would be an improvement on the existing design and will meet the requirements of the new occupiers move.

The plans say a separate application for advertising consent will be lodged at a later date.

Workinton MP Mark Jenkinson has welcomed the news 'a high profile tenant' will be coming to town, describing the move as a 'breathe of fresh air' for the town centre.

He said:"While I’m not at liberty to discuss potential tenants, I know that Allerdale Borough Council and Sovereign Centros have worked incredibly hard to secure a future for the Debenhams building despite the backdrop of the covid pandemic when retailers were not investing in high streets.

"While Allerdale Borough Council no longer having any control over potential tenants or incentives to attract them is a sad indictment of previous administrations having given away our town centre and relinquished control completely, I’m glad to see that we finally have what one assumes to be a high profile tenant.

READ MORE: Major clothing retailer denies rumours it will take over empty Debenhams store

"I’m hopeful that they can build on the work the council are doing in conjunction with me and central government, to breathe new life into Workington town centre."

Sovereign Centros Limited, who run the Washington Square shopping centre have declined to comment at this time.

The £50 million Washington Square shopping centre was brought to Workington in 2006.

Debenhams played a significant part in the development as the main anchor store for the project, with shops such as HMV and River Island following the store into town.