A “worldwide brand” is poised to move into a major Walsall town centre store left empty when music chain Zavvi went bust, it was revealed today.

Estate agents handling the unit in Park Street say an application will be lodged with planners within weeks, with the mystery new tenants set to move in next summer.

Music and DVD retailer Zavvi went into administration on Christmas Eve last year, with more than 70 stores eventually closing and some 1,000 jobs lost.

Having lain vacant for just over a year, the unit was advertised as having a rateable value of £167,000 and annual rates of £81,000. And after prompting interest from a number of parties, Ian Hughes, from agents Rowley Hughes Thompson, said a deal had been agreed in principle.

“It’s about to go into solicitors’ hands,” he said. “We can’t name the new tenants until that legal process is complete, but it is a worldwide brand.

“An application will be submitted in the next few weeks and I would expect the new store should be open in about six months.”

Walall council leader Councillor Mike Bird said: “It’s a prominent unit in the town centre so it is good news that a major company is looking to invest in Walsall.”