IT is hoped new retailers that open for business at Launceston’s Retail Park after B&Q closes will prove ‘popular’ with residents.

Options for new retailers that would set up shop after B&Q closes later in the year are currently being looked into by the site’s landlord.

A spokesperson for London Metric Property PLC, landlord of Launceston Retail Park, told the Post: “We are working very hard on a number of options and we have got interest from four or five parties. We are still due to take back the B&Q in October this year.

“I think we are going to come up with something that is great for the town and will be popular.

“Once we have confirmed a tenant line-up, we would look to submit a planning application with the retailers named.

“Ahead of submitting a planning application we will also want to carry out some public consultation and hopefully generate some support for what we propose.”

A B&Q spokesperson said: “We have let colleagues at our Launceston store know that their store is one of those planned for closure next financial year (2016/17).

“Our focus for the coming months is on redeploying as many colleagues as we can within B&Q and the Kingfisher Group.”