SHOPPERS were today calling on clothing giant Primark to open a store in York.

Rumours of the store's arrival in the city were sparked on Friday when City of York Council leader Coun Steve Galloway said Primark was hoping to move into the premises occupied by Boots The Chemists, in Market Street.

Boots confirmed on Friday it would be relocating to the former Woolworths store in Spurriergate, where its new store was scheduled to be opened in the late summer.

Primark today again said it was NOT planning to open a store in York, but if a suitable site became available it would be "very interested".

Support for a store in the city has come flooding into our website.

One reader said: "Primark is a brilliant store, particularly for young people with less money to spend. I would welcome one - there is room for more retail choice here." Another reader commented that: "Primark would be a great shop to have in York. I don't shop there much myself, but it is a very popular place and people will come into town specifically to go there."

Another York resident, identifying himself as "babylee", said: "I think a Primark in York is a great idea.

"Finally somewhere that sells affordable clothes in a decent size range. I have clothes from Primark that have been worn over and over again and they still look as good as the day I bought them.

"I have never felt discriminated against in Primark about being a size 18. Bring it on, I say!"

A spokesman for Primark said: "Primark has no plans to open a store in York and we cannot comment on the premises that Boots will move out from in due course.

"We're aware of that movement, but we've got nothing to say specifically about those premises or any other premises in York."

He said the company was unable to confirm if it had been looking at the premises Boots currently occupied, but he said the chain had no plans in relation to that site.

However, he said York was still a "prime target" for the opening of a Primark store.

"If a suitable site became available, we'd be very interested in opening a Primark store there," he said.

"At the moment, no suitable premises are available."