THERE have long been concerns about the growing number of bars and restaurants in York city centre, and the corresponding decline in shops.

The worry isn’t only that having too many bars encourages the kind of rowdy, drunken behaviour for which York is unfortunately gaining a reputation. It is also that, if the city is to continue to thrive, it needs a proper city centre with a good range of shops.

We don’t want the centre of York to be a place where people simply come to eat and drink. There must be other reasons for visitors to come - and shopping has always been one of them.

It is very good news, therefore, that Primark will be opening its Coppergate store in November. Such a well-known shop will be a real draw that will help to revitalise this quarter of York, as well as bringing a better balance to the city centre as a whole. It will also create more than 220 badly-needed jobs.

The former Marks & Spencer building, into which Primark will be moving, has already undergone months of refurbishment. Fitting out of the shop as Primark will begin later this week.

In Stonegate, meanwhile, Kathe Wohlfahrt - an internationally famous German shop which specialises in Christmas accessories - will be opening next week in part of what used to be Mulberry Hall. The company has already created a window display, and the shop will open on August 5.

It’s just the kind of quirky outlet that will help ensure York remains a great shopping destination, as well as a place to relax and have fun.