DEBENHAMS has reaffirmed its commitment to opening a new store in Newport.

The superstore is on a roll - yesterday it announced that its profits have more than doubled, from £137.5m to £300.5m.

On its website the retailer has listed Newport among 20 new stores it plans to open in the next four years, and it expects to be serving Gwent customers in autumn 2006.

Debenhams is seen as the key player in a £110m vision to transform city centre shopping in Newport.

Five top developers are now vying to build a Debenhams superstore, multi-storey car park, restaurants and extra shops.

The council and regeneration experts Newport Unlimited have asked the five firms to draw up plans by January 31, 2005. And by May 31 they hope to have chosen one to carry out the development.

The council believes the revamped shops - which are likely to cover John Frost Square and the bus station area, but not the bulk of the Kingsway Centre - are essential to Newport's regeneration.

Graham Moore, chief executive of Newport Unlimited, said Debenham's strong profits added conviction to their bid to come to Newport.

He said: "Their results are excellent. We're having an ongoing dialogue with them and we're looking forward to the tenders coming back in January with exciting and imaginative designs. I think autumn 2006 is a bit ambitious, 2007 is more likely, but it depends on how they define their accounting year."

Debenhams was taken over by a group of venture capitalists last year and the new management has boosted sales by over five per cent.

Chief executive Rob Templeman said: "Sales trends have continued to improve. We are enjoying strong current trading and are confident about the future."