Work begins as Sports Direct due to open in Lancaster shopping centre

Work is under way on converting empty shop units in a Lancaster shopping centre into a new Sports Direct store.

The sports retail giant is expected to open in the former HMV and Select clothing premises in St Nicholas Arcades and work began inside the empty units earlier this week.

Tony Johnson, manager of Lancaster BID (Business Improvement District), told us today: "It is our understanding that Sports Direct are opening in Lancaster, in the old HMV and Select Fashion, and it is our understanding that they want to be open before Christmas."

Music and home entertainment retailer HMV closed its store in St Nicholas Arcades in August. Select closed in October.

Below, the former Select store pictured on Friday morning, November 21 2025.

Beyond Radio has contacted St Nicholas Arcades for comment.

A spokesperson said that work began at the units this week, and no opening date has been announced.

St Nicholas Arcades and Sports Direct are both owned by Frasers Group, who bought the shopping centre in 2024.

A Frasers Group spokesperson said: “We’re pleased to be opening a new 7,000 sq ft Sports Direct store, located in St Nicholas Arcades, Lancaster.

"Set to open by the end of 2025, the dynamic new store will offer customers the world's best sports and lifestyle brands, while also bringing other brands from Frasers Group’s ecosystem, including USC and GAME, to the location.”

Sports Direct also has a store at Sunnycliffe Retail Park at Mellishaw Lane in Lancaster.

Among other leading brands, Frasers Group also owns House of Fraser, fashion store Flannels and computer games chain GAME, which has a shop in St Nic's.

Read more: HMV set to close store in Lancaster shopping centre - Beyond Radio

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