YORK’s retail sector is facing two major overhauls, as one high street giant opens in the city and another eyes a York outlet.

Primark is opening its Coppergate store today, more than three years after its intentions for the York site were first revealed; and at the same time planners have revealed their backing for a £15 million overhaul at Monks Cross.

The owners of the out-of-town shopping park want to build a brand new standalone store, which they say a major furniture retailer is interested in, and give the rest of the park a face-lift to bring the 90s-style shop fronts up to date.

City of York Council’s planning committee meets to decide on the scheme next week, and planners have already recommended the scheme is approved.

York Press:

The developments have been welcomed by retail figures in the city.

Mike Cartwright of the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Trade said: “We welcome these two initiatives that will boost even further the retail offer of York, and attract more shoppers and visitors in general to the city and the wider area.

"The enhanced retail offer will increase the attractiveness of an already wonderful city and offer a wider range of products and services to the public.”

Frank Wood, of the city’s Retail Forum, similarly backed the Primark opening, saying the big brand name would draw footfall into the city.

Although he is optimistic about the city centre retail offer, expecting the currently empty BHS store to be filled within months, he said there was cause for concern about more out of town development harming the high street.

York Press:

“Out of town developments do create problems, because they have free parking and are easily accessible, and they can contract their shops to stay open later.”

If the Monks Cross overhaul goes ahead, the £15 million project will see the new store built on the south-west corner of the car park, and new food kiosks built on the unused bus lane around the cite.

Other changes, like a remodelling of the car park and removal of two small roundabouts, will create six extra parking spaces for shoppers.

Papers show the owners believe the changes will help Monks Cross compete with Vangarde and Clifton Moor, which both have more food outlets; will create 100 new jobs; and will plug a gap in the current Monks Cross offering.

However objections did come from lawyers for Pizza Hut, who said there was not enough information about how the new food outlets would affect the existing businesses.

But in a report to the planning committee, city planners say the proposals will improve the appearance of the park and will not harm city centre businesses.

York Press:

Primark’s Coppergate opening comes seven months after the company’s Monks Cross branch opened, and more than a year after work started on the new site.

Mr Wood said the outlook for city centre retail in York was otherwise strong, with new projects and initiatives coming from the BID - like improved Christmas lighting and plans for better coordinated late-night shopping events.