FASHION giant Next and Sports World will be opening new stores in the Kingfisher Centre in 2004, it has been announced.

Next, which according to research is the store most people want to see in the centre, will be sited in Park Walk near to BHS and Marks and Spencer.

The BHS caf will be fully refurbished early in the new year to mark the arrival of the new stores and centre bosses have announced more, as yet unnamed, stores are to be opening up.

Jason Marcus, of centre owners Thornfield, said: "We are thrilled to be announcing these truly exciting new tenants at the Kingfisher Centre.

"It is extremely rewarding for us to see the centre's continued improvements and signings such as Next and Sports World are proof to us that our work is an ongoing success."

Centre commercial director Ian McLelland said: "We are delighted to have Next re-opening a store at the Kingfisher Centre.

"It will add to our growing store mix and no doubt appeal to a new group of shoppers."

The centre has undergone a £60 million transformation over the last three years, including the creation of department store giant Debenhams, H&M and HMV.