TJ Hughes eyes Bury move

Liverpool-based discount department store TJ Hughes is considering opening in Bury's Mill Gate shopping centre in a unit previously occupied by Marks & Spencer.

The vacant unit is around 50,000 sq ft and is the largest gap created by the opening of The Rock this year, the new scheme in the town centre that is now home to M&S.

TJ is in early talks with agents for Scottish Widows, owner of Mill Gate, and has viewed the space although a deal is some way off concluding. TJ's nearest store is currently in Bolton.

Several retailers including Next, Oasis and Burton moved into The Rock, managed by Hammerson and owned by HBOS.

Briant Champion Long is letting agent on Mill Gate.

All parties declined to comment.