CO-OP is to open a new store in York - at The Chocolate Works, off Bishopthorpe Road.

The food giant will invest more than £700,000 into a newly built Co-op store at the former sales office of the housing development in Campleshon Road.

The development will transform the current sales office into a convenience store with a sales area of 2,500 sq ft.

The scheme is subject to planning consent and approval.

And the company is also applying to City of York Council for a drinks licence for the premises.

The company is seeking a new premises licence for the new store on the ground floor of Hallmark House at The Chocolate Works.

The application is for a licence to sell alcohol daily from 6am to 11pm.

People have until April 29 to comment on the application.

They can contact the council in writing at: Licensing Services, York City Council, Hazel Court Eco Depot, James Street, York, YO10 3DS or via www.york.gov.uk.

A spokesperson for the Co-op said the store would "provide greatly improved access to food and other essential, every-day services, for the community."

She added that it was too early to confirm when the store would launch.

However a post on The Chocolate Works Residents Association webpage suggested it would be in the autumn.

The post reads: "Finally, it has been confirmed that the Co-op has won the contract to open a retail outlet on the development. DWH has confirmed that contracts have been exchanged with the Co-op. It is anticipated that they will open a store in the current sales office space by November 2021."

The Co-op spokesperson added: "Co-op is committed to connecting communities and provides a funding boost locally for community causes through its membership scheme.

"In addition to in-store offers, members are rewarded with 2p in every pound they spend on Co-op branded products added to their own personal membership account balance.

"The Co-op also donates a further 2p in every pound to community causes.

"The Co-op has raised funds and donated stock to provide over five million meals for the food charity Fare Share, which provides essentials to over 4,000 community food banks across the country.

"While its Food Share scheme connects with local not-for-profit groups to avoid food waste by ensuring any surplus food is redistributed to those most in need in the community."

Co-op has around 4.6 million active members.