THREE major York department stores have all announced they plan to reopen on June 15, boosting hopes of bringing the city centre back to life.

Browns wants to reopen its flagship department store in Davygate, and its three other stores in Helmsley, Beverley and Gainsborough, with perspex screens around counters, hand sanitisers available and visors and masks offered for staff, according to boss Nick Brown.

Fenwick CEO John Edgar said its “physical stores”, including the huge department store in the Coppergate Centre, were ready and prepared to open as soon as the Government allowed it, and the firm had been working diligently to make them compliant with guidelines.

Barnitts’ managing director Paul Thompson said it was aiming to re-open the family-run business in Colliergate by June 15 - or maybe the weekend before because its goods were classified as “essential.” -

But he said it needed “everyone to fire back up to make it work, to give people more of a reason to come to the city centre.'

Pavers also said its shoe store in Coppergate planned to reopen on reduced hours, with extensive and enhanced hygiene and staff/customer safety protocols “over and beyond government guidelines”.

However, Next said its Coney Street store would not be reopening on June 15, saying its larger out-of-town stores, including at Vangarde, which had easier social distancing, would be reopening first.

Kevin Clarkson, owner of nursery retailer Paul Stride at Monks Cross, said it would definitely be reopening by June 15, but he was seeking clarification on whether it could open sooner.