TK Maxx snubbed Barons Quay, the Guardian can reveal.

Bloc Limited applied to Cheshire West and Chester Council on December 20, 2016 for permission to demolish the vacant J&S Motorcycle Clothing and Accessories store to build a TK Maxx store.

The application site is located on the corner of London Road and Chester Way, adjoining Waitrose.

However, a supporting statement reveals TK Maxx mulled over the idea of moving into the £80 million Barons Quay development, but decided against it.

The statement said: “TK Maxx has considered various options at the proposed Barons Quay development but has confirmed that none of the opportunities are suitable and commercially realistic.

“The application site is the only site within Northwich town centre that can accommodate the company’s established business model.”

The statement calls the chosen location an ‘established retail destination’ that forms part of the wider town centre.

“The proposed development will contribute towards the overall offer and attractions of the town centre and the application site is the only option to accommodate TK Maxx in a central location,” the statement said.

The development, which will form part of the Hayhurst Quay Northwich Riverside project, will create 40 jobs if approved.

The supporting letter states the proposed development will ensure the ‘future role of Northwich town centre as a vital and viable retail and commercial destination’.

The application also reveals TK Maxx has considered a number of ‘opportunities’ in the town in recent years but the firm had previously been unable to identify an appropriate premises.

TK Maxx says the new store has a projected turnover of £5.32 million per annum and can increase Northwich town centre’s turnover by 3.7 per cent.

It states will increase the earnings in the local economy by approximately £313,000 per annum.

TK Maxx also claim the development will have a ‘positive impact’ on Northwich’s economy by facilitating ‘significant private investor investment’.

It says this will have associated wider benefits for the Northwich economy through increased spending power of residents, which in turn will help other businesses in the area.

The application is awaiting decision.