ONE of the UK’s most celebrated fashion designers – famed for embracing the offbeat and the eccentric - is opening a massive new shop in York.

A three-storey Vivienne Westwood boutique is set to open in Blake Street, in the city centre, later this year.

The new store, which is 2,000 sq ft in size, will be located next to the Toni & Guy hairdressing salon and close to the York Theatre Royal.

It will open in early September and is expected to attract thousands of fashion conscious shoppers of both sexes.

The York boutique, which will be decorated with Vivienne’s trademark orbs, as well as dramatic oversized images of the designer and her favourite models, is one of six owned by Hervia Ltd, the UK’s leading retailer for Vivienne Westwood, pictured. Richard Duncalf, chairman of Hervia Ltd said: “We have worked with Dame Vivienne for more than 15 years and presently have five standalone stores dedicated to her designs.

“We are very happy to be opening a store in York as we feel there is a strong fashion presence in the city and a vibrancy that will embrace Vivienne Westwood.

“I feel the history and great heritage of this city compliment the brand and we have been mindful of this when designing the boutique.”

City of York Council leader Andrew Waller welcomed the boost to the city’s retail sector.

He said: “I think this is a real coup for York and it demonstrates that we are a destination for visitors and local residents alike.

“I think it’s going to give a real buzz to the retail sector of the city.”

The new boutique will stock the full range of Vivienne Westwood collections – including Gold Label, Red Label, Anglomania, MAN menswear, jewellery and the full range of Vivienne Westwood accessories, including all her fragrances. A separate room has been specifically designed to house the new Anglomania range – a bespoke concession, based on a selection of Vivienne Westwood collections from the past, which can currently only be found in the Nottingham boutique.

Hervia Ltd has existing Vivienne Westwood boutiques in Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham and two in Manchester and the company has been working with Dame Vivienne Westwood for many years to implement a structured expansion plan for her brand.

The acclaimed designer recently received the Outstanding Achievement In Fashion award at the British Fashion Awards and earlier this year returned to London Fashion Week for Autumn/Winter 2008 after being absent for nine years.

Her Red Label collection will be showing at London Fashion week within days of the store opening in York.