Selfridges is rumoured to be in negotiations with developers to become the flagship store in a 650,000 sq ft (60, 385 sq m) retail development in Leeds city centre.
Selfridges dropped plans for a store in Bristol when the retailer was taken over by Galen Weston six months ago, but now Selfridges and John Lewis are being touted as the stores that will dominate the£400 million scheme in Leeds.
Neither Selfridges or the developers Hammerson and Leeds-based Town Centre Securities would comment on the negotiations.
However, a spokesman for Selfridges said: 'At present, no formal commitment has been made to a store in Leeds. We continue to focus on opportunities as they arise, if they meet our economic/investment criteria under private ownership.'
Sources close to the deal say it is unlikely any other stores will be in the running.
The development, which is on a 21 acre (8.5 ha) site in the Eastgate and Harewood quarter of the city centre, will be a combination of new build and renovations.
The council sees the Eastgate and Harewood quarter as a logical area for the expansion of the city centre in order to retain its regional dominance.
As well as 650,000 sq ft (60,000 sq m) of retail space, there will be residential units, offices, leisure areas and community facilities.
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