The owner of the Belvoir Shopping Centre in Coalville says it is 'not aware' of any plans Home Bargains has to leave its current town centre site.

Home Bargains has made an application to North West Leicestershire District Council to open a new store in the Bridge Street building that once housed the Co-op.

Full details were put before council planners last week. Planning permission has been requested by Liverpool-based T J Morris Limited - which operates as discount store Home Bargains across the country,

The company says in a report to the council that it wants to raise its profile in the town.

But no mention was made of its current store in Coalville but it said the new store would create jobs in the area.

"Positive things are happening in the Coalville town centre retail and leisure scene and we are confident about the future.

A spokesperson for Gylo, the owners of the Belvoir Shopping Centre said: "We welcome all new or improved retail outlets in Coalville town centre as this provides an even greater attraction to shoppers.

"We see increased opportunities for linked shopping trips from increased footfall and that benefits all town centre businesses.

"Home Bargains has a lease on a unit within the Belvoir Shopping Centre with several years to run and we are not aware of any plans by the company to close the existing store.

"Positive things are happening in the Coalville town centre retail and leisure scene and we are confident about the future.

"Our recent and planned investment in the Belvoir Shopping Centre reflects that."

The Co-op moved out of the Bridge Road site two and a half years ago, blaming poor sales figures.