The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet has been built on the former hospital site at Naburn, near Fulford. When it opens at 10.30am on Thursday, November 11, the outlet will mark a fashion first for York. Top designer labels such as Armani, Donna Karan and Paul Smith will be available in York for the first time.

De Keyser claret, velvet evening dress, reduced from £249 to £99

And the even better news for followers of fashion is that the goods will be on sale at reductions of between 30-70 per cent.

The shops are able to slash prices because the stock is last season or end-of-line. But that doesn't mean out of fashion, as many clothes in fact change little from season to season and classic cuts and colours are a constant.

After all, grey, hailed as the new black last year, is also this season's in colour. Camel coats are still in vogue this winter as are velvets and satins - all sartorial successes last year.

More than 50 shops will open tomorrow, but a further 30 will be open by January. And by the year 2000, when the second phase of the development opens, the retail centre will boast 150 shops.

Fashions for women, men and children all feature strongly at the centre, which also stocks household goods, toys, shoes, luggage and other accessories.

The Designer Room will be selling discount clothes from leading fashion giants such as Armani, Donna Karan, Guest and Max Mara. Other ladies' outlets include Jaeger, Viyella, Episode and Jacques Vert.

Jacques Vert is cutting its prices by 30 per cent: jackets which sell in the High Street for £150 will be on offer at £105 and velvet evening dresses at £115 are cut to £80.

Men can also pick up huge bargains. At Suits You, two Ben Sherman shirts, normal retail price £60, will go for £40. A Pierre Cardin pure wool suit will set you back just £170 and a pure wool and cashmere, full-length coat will be knocked down from £259 to £130.

Bargains are also to be had in sportswear, with Adidas and Reebok both opening discount stores. At Adidas, a child's tracksuit is down from £30 to £21 and women's running shoes from £43 to £30. Reebok DNX women's running shoes will be reduced from £100 to £70 with hooded sports tops down from £40 to £28.

Discount designer clothes for children will be available at Vecopri. Bargain toys will be found at Toy World and Warner Bros, which is opening its first ever shop in a discount centre.

Whittard's has two shops, one selling teas and coffees and the second brightly-coloured kitchenware.

Those weary from shopping can grab something to eat or drink in the food court which includes a McDonald's, a Pret-a-Manger sandwich caf, a chinese takeaway and other fast-food outlets, all set around a dining area inside a huge Viking longboat. There are children's play areas, too.

But be warned. Bargain hunters are expected to be queuing early from tomorrow to snap up the best offers. But as an added reward, McArthurGlen is promising a £10 discount voucher to the first 1,000 customers.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.