A DEPARTMENT store in Chatham may not have closed its doors yet, but plans for the building are already under way.

Discount clothing giants TK Maxx are set to move into the premises and have submitted a planning application to Medway Council for a new shop-front to the High Street store.

Chatham Co-op is one of 36 shops nationwide being sold by the group after a strategic review of the business, which lost more than £4million in 2004.

It is set to shut for the final time next Wednesday and most of the stock has already been sold off. Twenty part-time and 18 full-time jobs will be lost.

TK Maxx has also submitted plans to Swale Borough Council regarding the former Sittingbourne Co-op department store.

Mark Bradbury, head of Chatham regeneration at Medway Council, said: "It will be great news for Chatham because it means another big fashion retailer is coming to the town centre and a large shop on the High Street will not be sitting empty for long.

"The deal is not done and dusted yet but the signs are very encouraging."