HOPES are growing that a long vacant town centre superstore in Lydney could be occupied by a national bargain chain after new signage was approved by Forest planners.

B&M has declined to confirm that they will be opening a new outlet at the former Nisa brand store beside the bus station in Lydney’s Hams Road.

But Forest planners have approved an application from Liverpool-based B&M Retail for signage at the premises, which included a photo of the current store with the B&M signage superimposed.

The boarded up premises have been empty since the closure of the Nisa store, formerly occupied by Tuffins, in April 2017, which saw the loss of 45 jobs.

The building has become an eyesore since its closure, but if B&M were to open in Lydney, it could provide a jobs and trade boost to the town centre.

A previous approach to variety store B&M, which has 600 stores around the country, received the response that nothing could be confirmed about any potential move to Lydney, but “discussions regarding new sites are always happening.”