A DEPARTMENT store identified as a key plank of Newport's planned £70 million redevelopment says it has no plans to open in the town for the next three years.

Debenhams today made the statement despite the the fact that the preferred bidders for the scheme - revealed in confidential council documents obtain-ed by the Argus last week - said the store would form part of the shopping development for the Kingsway Centre and John Frost Square area of the town centre.

A Debenhams spokeswoman said: "We have 96 stores in the UK and a new store opening programme which will bring us up to 104 stores by 2004. Newport is not on that list.

"We are actively looking at markets where we are not currently represented, but just because there is a rumour in a town it doesn't mean we've signed up a store. "A store has not been announced for Newport today and it is not part of our announced new store opening programme.

"We cannot comment on market speculation."

The eight sites which are due to get a new Debenhams store by 2004 are; Edinburgh Leith, Basingstoke, Redditch, East Kilbride, Inverness, Birmingham Bullring, Gateshead Metrocentre, York, Wigan, and Doncaster - all announced yesterday.

Today Newport traders said they hoped Debenhams would not reject the town after the three-year period.

Peter McClure, manager of Boots the Chemists, on Com-mercial Street, said: "Any store or trader that comes to the town improves the mix for shoppers and is good news for everyone.

"Debenhams is a key player and well-known by lots of shoppers, so the interest a store would generate in the town would be substantial and attract more people. "It would be a disappointment if they didn't come."

Lorraine James, relief manager at Newport's Marks and Spencer store, added: "I think it would be great if Debenhams could come here. It would give us more competition as retailers and attract a wider clientele to the town, which is what it needs." Kim Ahmed, joint manager of the Truly Scrumptious cafe, in Commercial Street, said she thought a Debenhams store would have brought her more custom. "Newport is nothing but charity shops at the moment."

Newport council refused to comment on the town centre redevelopment, saying it was "speculation".