York Designer Outlet unveils plans for 25 new shops

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Sep 6, 2019

A planning application has been submitted to build up to 25 new retail and restaurant units at York Designer Outlet, which is home to luxury brands including Michael Kors, Kate Spade and Polo Ralph Lauren.

The £40m+ proposal also includes the creation of a new parking area and an improved Park & Ride facility to better accommodate the 4.5 million people who visit the outlet centre each year.

The planning submission follows two successful public consultations which were held in June to hear the views of hundreds of residents, shoppers and Park & Ride users. Of the feedback received, 95% were either supportive (85%), or balanced (10%) about the proposals.

McArthurtGlen, which owns York Designer Outlet, said the planning application would create  around 500 new retail and construction jobs and £3.4 million in additional employment income, as well as providing a significant boost to the area’s economy.

Mike Thomas, centre manager, said: “We are delighted to reach this important milestone in our project to deliver improvements to the facilities at York Designer Outlet.

“Our plans would deliver hundreds of jobs and significantly improve parking at the YDO. It would also secure the future of the YDO Park & Ride which is key to reducing local road congestion and meeting York’s wider sustainability and carbon reduction goals.

“We have engaged closely with the local council and community throughout this process and will continue to do so as plans progress.”

A decision on the planning application is expected later this year.