AMBITIOUS £3 million plans are afoot to turn York's derelict Bonding Warehouse into a boutique shopping mall.

Local businessman Marti Dix plans to convert the landmark building on the river Ouse into a major shopping and lifestyle destination to rival the likes of Leeds's successful Corn Exchange.

The scheme - which could generate hundreds of new jobs in independent retail, leisure, catering, construction and professional services - would see the creation of dozens of affordable units.

The range of uses could include: fashion retail, hair styling, contemporary arts and crafts, ethnic cuisine, special interest music, interior design, jewellery, music performance space and body art.

Mr Dix said: "York has shown it can attract major high street stores, but there's a real lack of provision for smaller scale retailers.

"This scheme plans to plug that gap and create something that's fresh, ambitious and currently not widely catered for in York."

It is anticipated that a new complex would help attract younger visitors to the city at a time when tourism bosses are reporting that numbers of younger tourists are beginning to dwindle.

Mr Dix, whose business is Identity Ltd, said he is confident his proposals will win the hearts and minds of the people of York.

He said: "It would be a sorely missed opportunity if this iconic building was allowed to be turned into something as uninspired as flats or a hotel."

"I'm sure that most people in York would want the future of the Bonding Warehouse to leave a long-lasting legacy that can be enjoyed by everyone.

"This is a real opportunity, not only for the Bonding Warehouse, but for York as a whole. It's a chance to help define York's identity as an ancient city that never grows old."

Preliminary discussions are already under way with architects and surveyors to decide how best to divide the building and calculate the costs involved in its refurbishment.

In the meantime, Mr Dix is organising a series of events to gather feedback from local residents, businesses, city leaders and potential tenants.

Mr Dix has been working as a fashion designer for six years and designs jewellery and clothes, as well as having his own shops. He is in the process of opening up a shop in Manchester, where he has gone into business as a bead supplier.

This is the second plan for the Bonding Warehouse that has arisen this month.

On October 12, The Press reported how North Yorkshire entrepreneur David Hattersley wanted to transform the dilapidated building into York's first five-star hotel - creating 200 jobs.

Mr Hattersley, who recently bought the 700-year-old Lendal Tower and is converting it into an exclusive place to stay, believes he could turn the Bonding Warehouse from a decaying eyesore into a real money-spinner for York.