A FASHION retailer has signed up to open a store in a major Suffolk retail centre just days after the scheme's promotors laid on a lavish event in London's West End.

Laurence Cawley

A FASHION retailer has signed up to open a store in a major Suffolk retail centre just days after the scheme's promotors laid on a lavish event in London's West End.

The women's clothes chain Jane Norman already has shops in Colchester, Chelmsford and Ipswich.

Today it emerged the retailer had booked space at the £100million Arc development in Bury St Edmunds. Its new store will be directly opposite New Look, Next and Debenhams at the corner of the public square.

With four months to go before the new retail centre opens, Centros, the developer, revealed 85% of the available shop space on the former Cattle Market site was now let or in the hands of solicitors drawing up contracts.

David Lewis, associate director for Centros, said: “Jane Norman is a top fashion name that will really complement the high street fashion line-up of arc. It's also another new name for Bury St Edmunds, and we expect to announce more new names over the coming weeks.”

He said the signing came in the wake of a marketing event in London in which retailers, property agents, Centros and St Edmundsbury Borough Council met and discussed the new centre.

“We were delighted to talk to a number of new retailers interested in taking shops in arc,” Mr Lewis said.

Sara Mildmay-White, deputy leader of the council, said: “This was a unique opportunity to speak to potential investors in Bury St Edmunds face to face and to hear what they are looking for.

“The town is in an enviable position with its powerful mix of the historic and contemporary retail and it was a pleasure to share our optimism over its future.”

The signing of Jane Norman means Centros has let 19 of the 35 shop units on the Arc development. The plot taken by Jane Norman was the last of the larger units available and Centros is currently trying to get takers for the remaining smaller spaces.

Last month, Centros revealed it was to let units to Paperchase, Clarks and Crew Clothing. The keys to the landmark Debenhams building have already been handed over and fitting out work is underway.