Developer Land Securities is replacing the existing Bishop Centre with a 30% larger development of 132,000 sq ft to help rejuvenate the shopping offer in the area.

Tesco has already agreed to take 55,000 sq ft of the space with TK Maxx, Nike, Frankie & Benny’s and Costa, bringing the pre-let to 76%.

The development, which is expected to cost around £20m to build, will include an extensive scheme of landscaping as well as a new, improved access point via Bath Road.

The proposal will incorporate sustainable technologies to reduce impact on the environment including recyclable materials in construction, all buildings of timber framed construction, rainwater harvesting and photo voltaic cells installed to help generate electricity from a renewable source.

Nick Duffield, Land Securities portfolio director, said: “The Bishop Centre has suffered in recent years as its traditional anchor stores have closed and foot fall has fallen as a result.

We have lost both Focus DIY and Habitat in recent times and the time is right to try and reposition the Bishop Centre.