Member Article

Well-known Yorkshire department store to invest £3.5m in expansion drive

One of North Yorkshire’s most well-known department stores is to invest £3.5m in expanding one of its sites – saying consumer spending is now on the up.

Barkers in Northallerton made the announcement after finding consumer confidence has increased in the past 18 months.

The family-run firm is to invest £3m in expanding its furnishing store on Yafforth Road by 20,000 square feet to create a new section for contemporary furniture, homeware and accessories. The move will lead to the creation of up to 20 new jobs.

The renovation will start in May and is expected to be completed by Christmas.

Work will also start this spring on a £500,000 revamp of the first-floor restaurant and fashion floor at Barkers’ flagship Northallerton High Street department store.

Store owners plan to create a modern 180-seater restaurant with new flooring, lighting, counters, chairs and entrance, with an area selling luxury gift food, biscuits and chocolates.

The business, which already employs 250 people, attracts shoppers from all over Yorkshire, as well as further afield.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .