Council bosses and fashion retailer Next have remained tight-lipped over speculation that the store could be joining the St James’ development in Dover.

Speculation first emerged in July last year when the Dover Mercury exclusively reported that the chain “could be Next in line” for the project.

The report said that the clothes store could be placed next to the planned Marks & Spencer Simply Food outlet

District council bosses, along with a spokesman from Bond City developers, which is building the St James’ development, refused to confirm nor deny the speculation at the time.

The council has now revealed through Twitter that a “major fashion retailer” has just signed up to the project, sparking yet more curiosity in the town.

But a district council spokesman told the Mercury: “The name of the retailer has not been announced yet.”

And a spokesman from Next plc said: “At the moment I can’t confirm anything. We are currently in talks and would not like to say anything until all has been sorted.”

Confirmed tenants at the St James’ development consist of Cineworld – which will bring a six-screen complex to the town – along with an M&S Simply Food outlet and Italian restaurant Frankie & Benny’s.