Big retailers get closer to moving in to York

The outdoors chain Mountain Warehouse is poised to move in to an empty shop on Davygate, while the long-awaited city centre opening of Primark looks to be a step closer.

Both Mountain Warehouse and Primark have lodged planning applications which reveal some of their plans for the sites.

Mountain Warehouse, which already has a shop at McArthur Glen designer outlet, is looking at the empty former Laura Ashley shop in Davygate, and is asking for permission to make major alterations inside the building.

Meanwhile, Primark has been known to be the next occupant of the formers Marks and Spencer shop on Piccadilly since at least 2014, and its latest planning application is for the signage that will go up on both the Coppergate and Piccadilly entrances.

Both it and the planned Monks Cross Primark store are said to be opening this spring.

Planning papers show that Mountain Warehouse want to create a "new concept" style store on Davygate, and have applied for permission to remove part of the ground floor ceiling to create a high gallery visible to customers entering the shop.

To do that, they would need to cut out a slab of concrete from the ceiling, and would then clad the double height space with wall coverings like astroturf, dry stone wallpaper and painted walls, and put in a staircase to first floor retail space as well.

A design and access statement prepared by consultants Giles Davies Ltd says: "It is strongly believed that the newly-fitted out retail outlet into an existent vacant premises will enhance the appearance of the building and attract additional visitors and revenue to the already vibrant city centre of York."

Laura Ashley closed their Davygate store last year after landlords for the rear part of the shop got permission to convert it into a restaurant.

The rear unit - which opens onto to Little Stonegate - is now occupied by Caribbean restaurant chain Turtle Bay - and a neighbouring Davygate store has recently been occupied by Space NK.