BARGAIN hunters are about to have even more reason to indulge in retail therapy, as two high street stores set their sights on York's designer outlet.

Women's-wear brand Coast has announced plans to launch an outlet store at McArthurGlen next month - hot on the heels of clothing brand Crew, which is opening its first northern outlet store there on Saturday, May 28.

The signings add strength to McArthurGlen's growing reputation, which has seen it ranked as one of the top upmarket shopping destinations outside London in a survey by UK leading retail analyst Javelin.

Alastair Parker-Swift, the entrepreneur behind Crew, chose York ahead of rival northern cities due to the quality of its retail market.

The retailer, which designs and manufactures outdoor and active clothing, will create six new jobs at the new 1200 sq ft store.

Mr Parker-Swift said: "We've chosen McArthurGlen in York as home for our only outlet store in the north. We have two southern outlets that are performing beyond targets.

"Against this background, we would only consider another outlet store if we could be sure it would offer us the same opportunity. McArthurGlen had solid evidence about its shopper profile and target audience, and healthy visitor numbers. We were left with a strong business case and were keen to join the centre."

Crew's arrival is another coup for the centre's general manager, Colin Wilding, who is charged with bringing top-names to the 115-store shopping centre.

It joins a list of high-profile openings since the start of 2005, including Levi's, which chose McArthurGlen for its first company owned outlet store, and women's wear Karen Millen.

The opening of Coast heralds the brand's second foray into the outlet retailing market - it currently trades in McArthurGlen Cheshire Oaks.

Sarah McNamara, marketing co-ordinator, said: "Outlet retailing enables us to offer customers excess stock and seasonal ranges at reduced prices, while maintaining the quality shopping experience shoppers expect from Coast."

The new outlet store will specialise in smart day wear, evening wear and tailored suiting, with up to 50 per cent off typical retail prices.

McArthurGlen centre manager Norma Middlemiss said: "The centre is continually evolving and developing in terms of the top brand names and designer labels now on offer. The new Coast store joins over 115 other top names, including Paul Smith, Levi's, Armani Collections, Timberland, Margaret Howell, Bose and Oakley."

Big names targeting York city centre include H&M, Zara, Topshop and Jaeger, men's hire store Moss, tea and coffee specialists Whittard of Chelsea and The Whisky Shop.

About 80 jobs could be created.

Updated: 11:10 Friday, May 20, 2005