DEMOLITION work has started in a York street to prepare the way for construction of a new Lidl supermarket.

Two large former industrial buildings on a 2.36 acre site in James Street are being razed to make way for the discount store, which will back onto Foss Island Retail Park.

The 21,054 sq ft store, which will create up to 40 jobs, is due to open next summer after a seven month building programme.

It is the second Lidl to open in the York area, with the first having opened seven years ago in Thanet Road, Dringhouses.

The new development will include 130 parking spaces, with four bays for electric vehicle charging, and there will be an in-store bakery.

York-based development company S Harrison says it worked closely with site owner Perio News Limited to secure planning permission for the multi-million pound supermarket in October, and awarded the construction contract to Leeds-based Castlehouse Construction.

Andrew Wharton, of S Harrison, said investment on this scale in this part of York was "really positive news".

He said: “The site has had many uses over the years including being a waste disposal site, a packaging factory and latterly a storage facility for television props, but the two large buildings had deteriorated and fallen into a state of disrepair.

“This exciting development will support economic sustainability and create jobs, as well as being a great place to shop.”

He said S Harrison’s had a wealth of experience in developing a wide range of retail schemes, including a £4.3 million, 25,000 sq ft B&M retail unit in Catterick, a new 10,000 sq ft purpose-built premises and showroom for an electrical contractor and retailer at Monks Cross, and the creation of 9,000 sq ft of prime retail space on the ground floor of Hunter House near York Minster.