THE former Toys R Us store at Clifton Moor is set to get a £1.5 million revamp as a discount retailer plans to move into the unit.

Home Bargains, which already has a branch at Clifton Moor, is planning to move from the existing store to the larger building in Hurricane Way.

A spokesman for the company said the expansion shows a “commitment” to York.

The move would create 60 new jobs and planning documents say: “These new jobs are particularly significant at the current time when the retail sector is experiencing a structural change leading to the loss of many household names including Toys R Us. Home Bargains’ occupation is a good news story for York and further demonstrates Home Bargains’ commitment to the town.”

The Toys R Us unit has laid empty since the retailer fell into administration in March this year. The site was brought by Home Bargains, which planning documents say is one of the UK’s fastest growing discount retailers.

The application says: “The company intends to continue its rapid growth and has ambitious expansion plans.

“In keeping with its aspirations to be the discount retailer of choice, Home Bargains want to completely refurbish the unit both externally and internally.

“The investment, which will exceed £1.5 million, will create jobs for local people through both the construction and operational phases, as well as facilitate the occupation of a vacant retail unit at the Clifton Moor Centre.”

As part of the revamp, the shopfront will be refurbished to create an improved entrance.

There will be 199 parking spaces including nine parent and child bays and 13 disabled parking spaces will be created.

Plans say: “The unit has undergone limited works since it was constructed in the mid-1990s and therefore is in need of a facelift and modernising."

It adds that all staff currently working at the Clifton Moor branch of Home Bargains will move to the new branch and the company’s other York store, at Foss Islands Retail Park, will not be affected.