MARKS & Spencer revealed today that its new store on York’s outskirts will create 200 new jobs.

The 100,000 sq ft store at Vangarde Retail Park, which will be one of the biggest in the region, opens on Thursday April 10.

A spokeswoman said the 200 new jobs will be in addition to employees transferring across to the store from existing M&S stores at Monks Cross and the Coppergate Centre, which are closing down.

She said the main city centre store in Pavement/ Parliament Street is also set to undergo a full refurbishment and modernisation during April, but will remain open throughout the improvements.

“The new store will be one of the biggest in the region and will offer customers in the area even more shopping options across fashion, beauty, food and homeware,” she said.

“The store has been built using sustainable building technologies and practices, including putting zero waste into landfill during development. It will be one of the most sustainable M&S stores yet, with eco features such as a 60,000 litre rainwater harvesting tank, a green living wall and PV solar panel installation, which is a first for a new M&S store.

“Customers can also look forward to a new 170-seat café, in-store bakery and deli counter, as well as larger fashion, beauty, food and home departments, bringing the best that M&S has to offer under one roof.”

The existing stores at Monks Cross will close on April 9, and the Coppergate Centre store will shut on April 26.

Store Manager, Hilary Wilkinson, said: “We are thrilled to be in the final stages of unveiling our bigger and better store at Monks Cross, providing local customers with a stronger offer under one roof and a state of the art store.

“As part of this investment, we are increasing the amount of selling space we have in York and we can’t wait for customers to benefit from the introduction of bigger fashion ranges, a new Beauty Hall and large Food and Homeware department, with one of the biggest stores in the region now on their doorstep.”