BIG new retail names will join the third and final phase of the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in York when it is opened by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, television's flowing-haired Changing Rooms designer on Saturday, July 14.

Especially good news for footwear faddists is that Timberland and the York-based Paver shoes empires will set up new outlets for their end-of-range and discounted stock.

Also coming to stake their claim among new traders in the 48,000 sq ft wing will be The Designer Room fashion retailer which is part of the de Keyser Group, plus Starbucks, the coffee specialists.

Marks & Spencer and Gap have already announced that they will be taking the lion's share of the space - nearly 20,000 sq ft between them - but Timberland will be occupying more than 3,400 sq ft.

Of the 49 per cent of space left, 30 per cent is in the hands of solicitors, according to a spokesperson for McArthurGlen. "Ten per cent is in the final stage before going to solicitors and the balance will be chosen to ensure that we have a good mix of mid-market and premium brands."

Already the new ventures along with existing shops at the centre have held a jobs fair to recruit an estimated 100 extra staff on top of the existing 715 employed at the centre.

All the new retailers announced so far have successful discount ventures in other McArthurGlen outlets throughout the country and all will be contracted to make discount offers of up to 50 per cent.

That includes Paver Shoes, which apart from its usual shoe shops headquartered in Piccadilly, York with branches in Scarborough, Bradford, Hull, Newcastle, Liverpool, Southport and Sheffield already has 13 discounted outlets all over Britain, the closest so far being at the Freeport Designer Outlet in Castleford.

Proprietor Stuart Paver is preparing to open his 2,000 sq ft of space at York next month and it will feature end-of-line and discounted top brand shoes such as Echo, Padders, Cats, Scholl, Gremsons and VanDal.

Joining Llewelyn-Bowen at the opening will be children's TV hero Bob the Builder.

Centre manager Norma Middlemiss said: "The centre is going from strength to strength. The homewares phase which opened at the end of last year complements our existing mix of stores, increasing the offering for shoppers looking to add some sparkle to their homes at affordable prices.

"The new stores joining us throughout the summer will all be great additions to the retail offer."

Updated: 12:08 Friday, July 06, 2001