Home Bargains has remained tight-lipped amid revived clamour for a Watford store after a mystery business submitted plans for a large unit.

A retailer was granted permission to knock through the walls of Waterfields Retail Park’s vacant former Sports Direct and David’s Bridal units and operate it as a single large store last week.

Planning documents show a specific tenant is already attached, but do not reveal what business it is. Neither the applicant, which is a real estate investment management company, or the retail park will share its identity.

The David's Bridal and Sports Direct stores while they were open (2017). (Image: Google Street View)

The only real clue to go on is that it will use “up to 30 per cent” of the ground floor space for the sale of food on a retail basis.

The news naturally led to comments from residents hoping it will be Home Bargains' first Watford store, after the discount retailer topped a list of brands readers would like to see open in the town.

Ever since Home Bargains said it was “definitely interested” in coming to Watford in 2022, the Watford Observer has kept in contact with the company to keep up with the latest on a potential store.

The units as Sports Direct was closing down (2021).The units as Sports Direct was closing down (2021). (Image: Google Street View)

Most recently, following the reader poll in February, a spokesperson said: “Our position on opening a store in Watford remains the same - we are keen to open a store once the right opportunity is available to us.”

However, when contacted for confirmation of whether it could be the mystery tenant for the Waterfields store, and to find out if it still has plans to open in town, the response was a no further comment to both.

Whether this means anything remains to be seen.