FASHION lovers were today given yet two more reasons to come shopping in York.

Ted Baker revealed it intends opening a store in the city, although it cannot yet say exactly where or when the store will arrive.

And Next revealed it is in discussions about the possibility of taking up a unit at the York Designer Outlet near Fulford.

The moves would complete the two retailers' presence in York, as Ted Baker already has a unit at the designer outlet, while Next have stores in Coney Street, Stonegate and at Monks Cross.

The news comes after a hectic period which has seen several other leading retailers heading for York, including Coast, Morgan, Zara, Whistles, H & M and Levi's. The designer outlet recently announced a £5 million redevelopment and expansion project and Harvey Nichols confirmed that York would be of interest to it as a potential location for a new store.

And today, a leading property consultant, Andrew Hedley, of Blacks, revealed another major retailer -"of great interest to the ladies" - was set to announce within the next few weeks it was coming to York.

He said retailers which originally planned to move into purpose-built stores within the Coppergate Riverside scheme had, since the redevelopment project was thrown out by the Government, been looking around for alternative converted accommodation in the city centre.

Tourism boss Gillian Cruddas was delighted by Next and Ted Baker's decisions, saying: "We know that York as a shopping destination is a particular draw for visitors. The attractions are one reason for coming, but shopping is very important as well.

"Any addition to the variety and quality of the shopping mix has got to be great news for tourism. They are good, distinctive names - recognisable brands - which will complement the unique, individual shops in streets such as Stonegate and Shambles."

Adam Sinclair, chairman of York Chamber of Trade, said major retailers were queuing up to come to York because of its unique character.

"Everybody keeps talking about the shopping offer, but the shopping offer is righting itself. People want to come here."

He said a latent demand had been created by people holding off while they waited to see if Coppergate Riverside was going ahead, altering the retail pattern of the city centre.

A spokesman for Ted Baker said it had been launched as a shirt specialist in Glasgow in 1988, with its first store opening in London's Covent Garden in 1990. "It quickly became the place to buy some of the very best contemporary men's shirting around," he said. The company now had six stores in the USA, with 19 stand-alone stores in the UK, he added.

Updated: 09:38 Wednesday, April 05, 2006