A retail war is being waged in Douglas as big chains compete for sales.

Sports Direct opened its 19,000 sq foot shop in the Strand Centre earlier this month.

But it’s going to get competition from another UK chain soon.

JD Sports is to open a shop in Strand Street next month.

Sports Direct International is the UK’s largest sports goods retailer and operates about 670 stores worldwide.

Its philosophy seems to be ’pile them high, sell them cheap’ and footfall in its first couple of weeks was reportedly high in part, perhaps, because of the Manx ’skeet’ factor as people went to look at the new shop.

Sports Direct owns a number of sporting brands including USC, with which it shares the Douglas shop, and Flannels, a much more upmarket clothes shop that operates where the old Manx Electricy Authority showroom was, a site once earmarked for Tesco until that plan collapsed.

JD Sports will be a smaller shop, at 5,000 sq ft shop,

It is to open next to Top Shop, opposite the Lexicon bookshop.

Developer Linnia Investments Ltd said it is coming thanks to ’the success of Strand Street to the island’s sound planning policies’.

A director of Linnia Investments said: ’By restricting retail to the town centre, the government has ensured Strand Street thrives at a time when many UK high streets are under threat.

’The new paving in the pedestrianised areas has also given a boost to the centre. This gave us the confidence to undertake our scheme speculatively and we have been pleased with the response from multiple retailers introduced by Chapman chartered surveyors.’

JD Sports owns Millets, which was based in the Strand Centre until Sports Direct took over.

The shop, which specialises in outdoor sports such as walking and also sells camping gear, has moved to Tower House, Castle Street.

Chapman Chartered Surveyors acted in both lettings.

Agent Thomas Chapman said: ’We worked hard to find a top quality occupier for this exemplary new shop at 62-66 Strand Street [JD Sports].

’The arrival of a prestigious national brand such as JD Sports demonstrates the continuing strength of the town centre.

’Vacancy rates in Strand Street are virtually zero and we applaud Douglas regeneration committee’s recent modernisation works.’

After the Strand Centre was taken over a number of shops, including Mothercare and HMV, pulled out of the island.

The arrival of the two big UK sports shops, which benefit from economies of scale, could squeeze local retailers as they try to compete.

However, established island business RC Turner, which operates under the Intersport brand, has opened another shop in Ramsey.