Major retailer reveals plans to open huge new store in Preston as Fusion Trampoline Park moves to new site

Proposals have been put forward by ‘a major food and non-food retailer’ to move into the unit currently occupied by Fusion Trampoline Park at Queen’s Retail Park.

Fusion’s owners confirmed they will be vacating the unit to make way for the new store and said they will be moving to a new site in the city.

The trampoline park said the move is likely to be completed by the end of the year, but added that Fusion will remain open at Queen’s Retail Park until at least September.

The company refers to itself as a ‘major food and non-food retailer’ and has not revealed its identity at this stage, but it is understood to be a nationwide discount chain.

Home Bargains is reportedly eager to expand its portfolio of stores across the Preston area and the Post asked the retailer whether it has now set its sights on Queen’s Retail Park.

But the company is remaining tight-lipped and when pressed on proposals submitted to Preston City Council, a spokesman said the chain “were not available for comment".

In 2021, the retailer announced bold plans to open around 50 new stores each year, with the company currently boasting more than 570 branches across the UK.

The chain currently has two stores in Preston - a small city centre branch opposite the Harris Museum in Market Place and another off Deepdale Road.

It is also poised to take over the former Fabb Sofas store at the Capitol Centre in Walton-le-Dale with an opening date expected later this year.

Last year, the Liverpool-based company further expanded its presence in Lancashire when it opened a new branch in Towngate, Leyland and work is ongoing on a large new store in Chorley where the former Office World and Carpet Right units are being merged into a Home Bargains superstore.

Meanwhile, rival discount retailer B&M has ruled itself out of the running at Queen’s Retail Park, having confirmed it has "no plans” to open a new store in Preston.

B&M already has a store less than half-a-mile away near the bus station and opened a large new Preston branch last year at the former Homebase on the Docks.