EMPTY city centre shops do not represent York's buoyant retail market according to a property agent as offers are being made for prime premises and a new £800,000 restaurant prepares to open in the city.

A number of retailers have left the city in recent months, vacating prime units on busy streets within the heart of York's city centre shopping district.

Davygate has been dealt a double blow with womenswear brand Karen Millen closing its store in May, followed by the closure of Laura Ashley, just two doors down, last month.

St Helen's Square then lost jewellery retailer Swarovski from the former Terry's shop, adding to the number of empty shops in the area alongside vacant premises previously occupied by underwear brand La Senza in Coney Street, and neighbouring Phones 4 U in both Coney Street and Spurriergate.

Last month also saw the closure of the Early Learning Centre in Market Street.

However the current high number of empty shops has been described as a coincidence by property agent Ian Webster, from CBRE, who is marketing a number of premises, and has described York's city centre as "incredibly buoyant".

His comments come as Caribbean restaurant brand Turtle Bay reveals it will be opening its new York branch in the back of the former Laura Ashley in Back Swinegate next month, with an £800,000 investment and the creation of 60 jobs.

Mr Webster said: "Units can become available at any time, it just so happens there's been quite a few simultaneously in York.

"However we have Phones 4 U in Spurriergate under offer, and offers have are on the table for Karen Millen, and I believe Laura Ashley too.

"There's also been significant interest in the Swarovski shop. Until deals are signed we can't say any more about the interested parties, but there is a lot of interest out there.

"York is really interesting city. Rent has seen increases of between five and ten per cent in Coney Street, and units only tend to stay on the market for between three and six months. It's an incredibly buoyant city."

Refurbishment is already underway at the 130-cover Turtle Bay restaurant, which is due to open in late August.

This is Turtle Bay’s first venture into Yorkshire, with further openings planned for Leeds and Harrogate later in the year.

It follows from 17 other sites including Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham and Bristol.

Ajith Jayawickrema, Turtle Bay founder said: "I am delighted to be opening our York restaurant and am confident that our concept and offering will fit in well with the local student population, tourists and residents of York and its surrounding areas.

"I’m looking to bringing something new to the city’s already vibrant food scene."

The former La Senza shop in Coney Street is being eyed up by Clinton Cards, which has an application pending with City of York Council's planning office to move into the premises, due to be decided by July 10.

Clothing chain River Island had submitted an application to then move into the Clinton Cards shop, but withdrew its plans.

Andrew Sharp, head of Business at Make It York, the company set up by the Council to promote the city, said: "We’re committed to ensuring our retail offer continues to go from strength the strength. And by targeting new and emerging contemporary brands, our aim is to ensure York has a vibrant mix of high street stores and independent retailers.

"Visitors alone spend more than £100 million annually on shopping and there are crucial economic benefits for the city in terms of investment and jobs.

"York has one of the lowest vacancy rates in the country and we’re confident any vacant retail space will be taken up and attracting a good mix of retailers is high on our agenda."