B&M will be opening a new store in York this week - as work begins on clearing the old site that burnt down last year.

The company said all former employees from the fire-hit shop had been offered their jobs back and it had asked the firefighters who tackled October's blaze to open the new store in Clifton Moor.

The store manager, Leanne North, said: “The firefighters helped control and put out the fire that broke out over the road on the same retail park in October, so the store team wanted to thank them for all their help. In addition to opening the new store, the team will also receive £250 from the store to go towards the Fire Service Charity."

In a statement, the company said: “The team from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue really stood out for us, they go the extra mile for local people in the community on a daily basis.

“We wanted to give them some VIP treatment as a thank you for all the hard work they’ve done.”

Meanwhile, the old site, located a few yards from the new B&M store, will begin to be cleared this month.

Charles Spooner, director at NewRiver REIT (real estate investment trust), which owns the site, said: “B&M are opening a new store in the first week of February to ensure continuity of trade which we’re fully supportive of.

“Our discussions regarding the existing site are ongoing and the site clearance will begin mid-February, with the demolition of the existing building expected to complete in March.”

The new store, which will open on Thursday, is set to create 20 new jobs. A B&M spokesman said: “Our new colleagues have been working really hard to get the store ready for opening day, we can’t wait to get the doors open next Thursday and show customers their brand new B&M.”