WORK has started on building a new home for a long-standing York business.

The Press reported earlier this year that electrical contractor and retailer Herbert Todd & Son was to move from its present city-centre home in Percy’s Lane to Monks Cross.

It is due to expand into a 10,000 square foot building which is being developed by York-based S Harrison - the same firm that is set to build student housing on the Percy’s Lane site.

Work is on the firm’s new premises at Monks Cross is due to be completed early next year, and the development will offer a modern showroom, warehouse, workshop area, office space and parking for 20 customers.

Herbert Todd & Son was founded in 1936 and currently trades from an industrial-style unit. Next summer S Harrison will start work redeveloping this site into a high-quality modern building that will provide living accommodation for 106 students.

The development will be owned and managed by one of the UK’s leading student accommodation specialists and work will complete in time for the start of the 2018/19 academic year.

Chris Hale, from S Harrison, said: “Starting work at Monks Cross is a major milestone in this overall development story.

“When work completes in spring 2017, it will enable Herbert Todd & Son to continue to grow and thrive in new purpose-built premises, as well as making way for a stunning new development on Percy’s Lane that will greatly enhance the local streetscape and is much more in keeping with the surroundings in this part of York.”

David Todd, from Herbert Todd & Son, said: “To see work under way on this new building is fantastic because it marks the start of a new chapter in our company’s long history in York.

“Our current premises are now largely hidden away from passing trade, as continued residential development around Percy’s Lane has transformed the area.

“This new building will be surrounded by other leading retailers and will give us a modern showroom where we can continue shaping our future, which makes it a very exciting opportunity.”