JOHN Lewis has moved a step closer to opening in Brighton with a planning application expected early next year.

Bosses at the department store have launched a consultation into the proposed city centre store which is expected to be in North Street.

The luxury retailer hopes to submit a planning application in the first half of 2016.

If approved the new store would provide around 250 jobs and bosses have pledged to recruit locally.

The retailer acquired 129-133 North Street, Brighton – currently the home of Boots - in December 2014.

John Lewis today announced it will start to engage with the local community around plans for the potential department store.

This will involve meetings with neighbouring businesses and residents about the plans, with a full public consultation to follow ahead of the planning application.

The Brighton branch would likely offer an edited selection of its fashion, beauty, home, electrical and consumer electronics goods and services to Brighton, while computer terminals would enable shoppers to browse the wider John Lewis assortment online.

Boots is understood to be looking for a new home but will remain in North Street for at least another two-and-a-half years.

Andrew Mills, acquisitions and development manager at John Lewis, said: “We have held a long term ambition to have a presence in Brighton.

“Although a shop opening is a long way off, over the coming months we intend to work closely with local retail, business and community organisations in the city as we develop more detailed proposals.

“We hope to submit a planning application in the first half of 2016.”

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Warren Morgan said: “I’m really pleased to have been able to work with John Lewis on bringing forward plans for a store in Brighton, something I know residents will welcome and something I think is a huge vote of confidence for the city.

“Shopping in Brighton and Hove is a key economic driver supporting local jobs and attracting visitors so a new store opening of this calibre will help raise the profile of our vibrant retail sector and serve as a flagship addition to the region’s retail draw.”

Gavin Stewart, executive director of the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, said: “Clearly there is a long way to go until John Lewis open their doors to the people of Brighton and Hove, but I’d echo others in saying that it’s a great vote of confidence in our city.

“The city’s economy is worth over £5.2bn, and we’ve got one of the lowest retail vacancy rates in the country, so it makes good economic sense for John Lewis to locate here.

“For the city, it means that we can continue to compete with other destinations, while adding to our already buoyant retail offer which boasts an independent sector of over 70% of the total market share.”