A TIMETABLE has been revealed to the opening of Primark's "eagerly awaited" first store in York.

The discount retailer has agreed leases for two stores in the city with a 100,000sq ft Primark set to open at Monks Cross, and a 34,400 sq ft store in the city centre's Coppergate Centre set to include a total overhaul of the old M&S home store to create a new two storey unit.

After confirming Primark's lease for Coppergate in January, in a deal which will create 151 new retail jobs, the centre's bosses have now revealed when shoppers can expect to get their first look at the store - next Spring.

Sue Anderson Brown, Coppergate Centre manager, said: "Extension work on the store is due to start imminently, creating 10,500sq ft of additional retail space.

"It is unlikely Primark will be trading until early spring next year.

"It's not a straight forward go in, fit it out, put some rails up and open the doors, but it will be worth while in the end.

"It will look amazing, and will be a real jewel in the crown for the Coppergate Centre."

Mrs Anderson Brown said the Coppergate contracts are currently out to tender and are due to be awarded by the end of the month.

Frank Wood, chairman of York Retail Forum, said: "We are delighted to see a large company coming into the city. Primark is a footfall driver, and we look forward to it bringing lots of people into the city.

"We are very short of large stores in the city centre. That was one of the problems John Lewis had when looking at York and why it had to locate out of town. Because York is a compact city, it's difficult to find the space to attract big retailers, so we're delighted this opportunity is available at Coppergate.

"We are eagerly awaiting the opening and looking forward to welcoming the brand."

Mrs Anderson Brown also revealed a deal is close to being agreed for a new tennant to occupy the recently vacated Starbucks coffee shop in the Coppergate Centre.

She said she has hopes of the deal being completed within "days, rather than weeks", hinting the new occupant will be a "premium end cafe, restaurant offering" from a company which already operates in York's city centre.

Leases at the Coppergate Centre are being agreed by Mark Batten and Rob Lewis of PwC, who are acting administrators for Coppergate Shopping Centre’s parent company, LaSalle UK Ventures Property 8 SARL, after being appointed in June last year.

Primark's opening at Monks Cross is also subject to interior store work after planning approval was granted in August 2013 to combine the retail park's former Marks & Spencer unit with neighbouring Laura Ashley and Sports Direct.

Planning documents revealed the store is likely to create 112 new jobs, though Primark is yet to confirm exact numbers. The lease agreement was announced in September last year following 12 months of negotiations between the shopping centre's bosses and Primark.