The multi-million pound scheme should open in 2008

The company already has a shop in Broadmead, having bought out Bentalls in 2000 for �15m.

It will now move nearer to the M32 as part of the new scheme for Broadmead, which is earmarked to open in 2008.

The group's existing store has been sold to fashion chain Primark which will occupy the building once House of Fraser has relocated.

A planning application on the flagship store will be submitted in spring.

We need now to complete the compulsory purchase order process John Hirst Broadmead manager

But the government still has to decide whether or not to reopen a public inquiry into plans to issue compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for part of the city centre site - which is necessary for the scheme to go ahead.

At the end of 2004, it wrote to interested parties asking if they thought the inquiry should be reopened after concerns were raised over which store would take the anchor slot.

Marks & Spencer and Selfridges had been linked to the scheme.

A spokesman for the Government Office for the South West said: "On Valentine's Day, the Bristol Alliance set out its plans for store occupancy.

"Planners are looking at the submission and will draw up their recommendations for John Prescott - he has the final say. Part of the decision relates to whether or not to reopen the inquiry.

Major stores

"We are not able to give a time frame on this."

John Hirst, Broadmead manager, told the BBC: "We need now to complete the compulsory purchase order process.

"The Secretary of State said before Christmas that he couldn't give the go-ahead as there was no anchor store and it needed to be a deliverable project.