STAND by for the Topshop swapshop, in retail giant Arcadia's version of musical chairs in York.

The company was this week staying tight-lipped over plans to move its different brand stores into new venues in the city.

A spokeswoman for Philip Green, Arcadia's billionaire boss, said that he was the only person who could comment - and he was on holiday.

But the Evening Press understands, following inquiries, that Topshop, in Coney Street, will close on Saturday afternoon, and move staff to its new premises in Coppergate to prepare for the grand opening next Thursday.

The vacated Coney Street shop will not stay empty for long.

Dorothy Perkins womenswear - also part of the Arcadia retail empire - will move out of its York base in High Ousegate and into the Coney Street premises by the end of next month.

It is understood that the empty High Ousegate premises will be let, but Mark Crookes of Dalgleish, property agents for Dorothy Perkins, said: "I am not prepared to comment. This matter is confidential."

Staff at Dorothy Perkins have apparently been told that there will be no job losses and the all-change may even involve more recruitment. The Topman/Topshop store at Monks Cross Shopping Park, Huntington, will be unaffected.

The all-change was triggered when Mr Green, whose Arcadia empire also includes Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins and Wallis, bought out ten Allders stores nationally from its administrators.

They included the former Allders between Coppergate and Piccadilly, which was closed on June 3 to be transformed into one of the biggest Topshop branches in the north of England.

It will be one of 290 Topshop stores across the UK, and is expected to demonstrate why it has been twice hailed as the Fashion Retailer Of The Year, maintaining its reputation as a pioneer of turning catwalk cool into high street hip. Its arrival coincides with plans by other major retail chains to target York city centre.

Early next year Zara and H&M will open in the new Spurriergate development, which is under construction. Last May, Jaeger arrived in Petergate, adding to its concessions at Fenwick's department store in Coppergate and at the out-of-town McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, near Naburn.

Updated: 08:38 Thursday, August 18, 2005