B&M is set to move into the former Go Outdoors building in Swindon, following months of speculation

Go Outdoors closed its Ocotal Way store in February 2022, before moving into the former Toys R Us unit on Oxford Road, which in turn had been empty for a number of years following the toy chain's crash into administration. 

Since then, rumours have been circulating that B&M would be moving from its smaller unit next door, into the bigger one.

But B&M remained tight-lipped about this, telling the Adver in April 2022: "We haven’t received any information on a store move at Transfer Bridges, County Road Swindon at the minute, but we do look at hundreds of locations at any one time for potential new stores."

And in October it reiterated: "No development from our side sorry – we’ll be in touch should we hear anything."

READ MORE: B&M Swindon: Store responds to rumours it is moving to old Go Outdoors building

Swindon Advertiser: The former Go Outdoors building on Ocotal Way has been painted white and blueThe former Go Outdoors building on Ocotal Way has been painted white and blue (Image: Dave Cox)

But a recent licensing application to Swindon Borough Council has finally confirmed the company's intentions to do just that.

It said: "Notice is hereby given that B & M Retail Limited has applied to Swindon Borough Council on January 9 2023 for the grant of a premises Licence in respect of B&M store, (Former Go Outdoors), Unit B, Ocotal Way, County Road, Swindon SN1 2EQ to allow off sales of alcohol and opening hours from 7am to 11pm seven days a week.

"The full application may be inspected at the Offices of the Licensing Authority, Swindon Borough Council, Wat Tyler West Floor 5, Beckhampton Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH between the hours of 09.00 hours and 16.30 hours Monday to Friday."

While this is the first official confirmation that B&M is moving to the new unit, it may have been one of the worst-kept secrets in Swindon. 

One person wrote on Facebook: "It's going to be B&M - staff told us months ago when we were in there...no mystery here."

Another person, who claims to be a relative of someone who works there has said that work on the new store is already well underway.

"Deffo a big B&M, my sis works for them told me it's all fitted out, just a couple bits to do," they added. 

Another claimed in 2022 they were told the move would happen "in the new year". 

"The lady at B&M told me they are moving over there in the New Year."

B&M has been approached for further comment.