THE retailer lined up to take over the former TJ Hughes site will not be announced before Christmas, its new owners have announced.

Weston Mercury: TJ Hughes Store.TJ Hughes Store. (Image: Archant)

Dove Properties purchased the vacant High Street store at auction in October.

The firm paid £670,000 – little more than half the original asking price – and revealed it had a retailer willing to take on part of the ground floor.

However, Dove’s Tim Warrell has told the Mercury red tape surrounding taking over the unit from a company in administration has halted progress and no announcements will be made before Christmas.

Dove plans to re-open two flats at the top of the store and hold discussions with North Somerset Council over other uses for the site.