HIGH street retailer Debenhams has confirmed it is pressing ahead with a second York store, despite the recession.

The Press revealed last year how the department store was planning to move into the former PC World premises at Monks Cross this summer, creating about 50 new jobs.

We said the computer firm was switching to a new purpose-built home at Clifton Moor, while Debenhams was committed to keeping its existing store in Davygate.

Debenhams chief executive Rob Templeman said yesterday it was to create a total of 1,200 jobs by the end of 2010 by opening eight new stores, including the one in York.

The retailer, which currently has 153 stores in the UK and Ireland, said it planned to open the new outlets in the next 18 months, creating full and part-time positions.

Mr Templeman also announced that like-for-like sales declined 3.6 per cent in the first half of its financial year and warned that trading would “remain challenging”.

He said the firm was “pleased” with its results “given the extremely difficult trading conditions experienced across the high street”.