A ONE-STOP fashion shop is set to bring big name brands to a Basildon retail park.

Outfit, which combines High Street favourites including Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins and Wallis under one roof, is set to take over the former Next store at Mayflower retail park, off the A127.

A dedicated menswear department will also stock items from Topman and Burton.

The unit has been empty since Next moved to a new super-sized store featuring homeware, clothing and a cafe.

It is not yet known howmany jobs the new venture will create.

Outfit, which is part of the Arcadia chain, will also house a footwear area and a jewellery and accessories section.

Kevin Blake, deputy leader of Basildon Council, is pleased.

He said: “It’s a new business, creating jobs, creating competition and it's good news for everyone. There have been a lot of employment opportunities lately, and I just hope there are local jobs for local people.

“I think people enjoy going to the out of town shopping centres because it’s a nicer experience than you get in the town centre. I think there is often more of an atmosphere.

“It's also easier to park, parking is free and shoppers can just pop in after work.”

Arcadia has taken out a tenyear lease on the building, according to British Land, which owns the retail park.

New Outfit stores are also set to open in out-of-town shopping centres in Swindon, Edinburgh, and Stockton-on-Tees, near Middlesborough.

John Maddison, head of retail park asset management for British Land, said: “We are delighted to have agreed this series of deals with Outfit, particularly at Mayflower Retail Park which recently saw Next upsize to a 47,500 sq ft store.

"The openings will broaden and complement the existing fashion provision across these parks and strengthen our relationship with one of our key tenants.”

The store will open its doors this Friday.

Big-name retailers are flocking to Basildon

OUTFIT is following in the footsteps of a handful of a big name businesses which have opened in Basildon in recent months.

More than 300 shoppers turned out for the official opening of discount fashion chain TK Maxx when it opened its doors at Pipps Hill Retail Park, off Miles Gray Road, Basildon, two months ago.

Last week the Echo revealed discount pet store Pet Hut, part of the Poundstretcher chain, would moved into the former Paul Simon unit at Pipps Hill Retail Park. Pet Hut, which has created 30 jobs, will officially open tomorrow.

And at the end of August, Next doubled its size when it moved into the former Currys unit at Mayflower Retail Park, compelte with a homeware department.