Primark has dispelled doubts about the future of its Bristol branch and confirmed it has no plans to relocate.
The Horsefair, where the budget retailer has been based since 2008, is in line for changes as part of the "regeneration" of Bristol Shopping Quarter.
Primark's former neighbour Debenhams is also expected to be repurposed further along the road, after it closed down in mid May and was put up for sale.
A Bristol City Council document seemed to hint that there was potential to develop the Primark building, at the bottom of the Horsefair, as well as the Debenhams site.
However, the popular chain has now clarified that it intends to stay put.
A spokesperson confirmed: "Primark has no plans to relocate out of its existing building in Bristol."
The council's City Centre Framework, dated June 2020, pointed to a "number of key sites identified which promote the reuse of existing buildings".
It stated: "The existing Primark and Debenhams buildings are distinctive elements of the street scene on Horsefair/Bond Street and some of the more distinguished and recognisable structures to survive from the postwar redevelopment scheme.
"If these buildings are considered for re-use or redevelopment, proposals should carefully consider how they contribute to the character of the area, including consideration of retention and re-use, extension or sensitive redevelopment which retains existing character features."
A mixed-use redevelopment is now on the cards for Debenhams, with the estate agent overseeing the sale suggesting potential for office, residential, hotel, leisure and retail space.
It comes after other buildings along the Horsefair were purchased by AEW UK Core Property Fund (AEW Core), which noted the potential for "significant redevelopment" opportunities in the long-term.
Primark used to be based in Broadmead but moved to Horsefair in 2008, after House of Fraser vacated it to move into the new Cabot Circus shopping centre.
John Lewis had also called the building home in years before that.
According to Land Registry records, Primark bought the leasehold for the site in 2005, for £29,172,549.
The length of the lease on the property was recorded as 125 years, starting in 1998 when the listed parties were Bristol City Council and Bentalls PLC.
For people visiting Bristol for shopping, Primark's location can seem distant compared to the tight cluster of big brands based at Cabot Circus.
However, very few city centre units could offer the brand the same amount of retail space.
This is not the first time there has been question about a potential move - in 2018, there were rumours that it could move to The Mall at Cribbs Causeway as part of the shopping centre's expansion.
The brand has a huge following and large queues have regularly been spotted outside the Bristol branch since non-essential retail was allowed to reopen after lockdown.
