GLOBAL fashion retailer H&M and restaurant chain Zizzi are the latest big names to sign up for the £120m Flemingate regeneration site near Beverley Minster.
H&M is one of the best-known names on the high street and its commitment to Flemingate is a considered a major coup, set to create scores of new jobs. Zizzi, part of the Gondola Restaurant Group, will be taking the first restaurant unit at the former factory and museum site.
Work is expected to start in the spring on the commercial and leisure complex at the site, which will create more than 1,000 jobs. Hull-based Wykeland Group is developing the complex with London-based Quintain Estates and Development.
A Wykeland Group spokesman said: "The decision by the H&M board to open a new store in Beverley is terrific news for the Flemingate development and a resounding endorsement for Beverley as a retail destination. The company's commitment to our scheme is another major step forward and there will be further announcements in the coming weeks."
The regeneration scheme has already attracted top names including Debenhams, which will be the anchor retailer.
Premier Inn will have an 80-bed hotel and Cleethorpes-based Parkway Cinemas will operate a multi-screen cinema complex.
The project will create about 700 permanent jobs, with a further 320 during construction.
It is expected to generate additional income for Beverley of more than £30m a year.
East Riding Council leader Councillor Stephen Parnaby welcomed the latest coup for the site.
He said: "It's great news for Beverley, considering what the retail market is going through nationally.It just shows what a big draw Beverley is for these major retailers.
"It will create more jobs and bring more money into the town.
"It will attract more people to Beverley and now that Hull is the 2017 City of Culture even more people will visit Beverley, it's all gelling together."
Beverley's chamber of trade chairman Julian Minshall said: "We will have a good mixture of old and new in Beverley.
"I think the new development will attract more visitors and it's close enough to the centre to ensure there will be connections for shoppers.
"It can only be good for Beverley in the long run."
Ward councillor Kerri Harold said: "It's a major coup for Beverley to get these companies here.
"I don't think it will detract from the town centre, which is very quaint with some fantastic shops. "This will be an added boost."
East Riding College is to relocate its Beverley campus to the site.
Principal Derek Branton said: "It is pleasing to see the wider project moving forward and we are delighted to be a part of it.
"We are currently working with the developer of our existing campus at Gallows Lane and are planning to open our new Flemingate campus in September 2015."
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