A spate of new shops is expected both in York city centre and on its outskirts.

Apart from The Scooter People at least three more retailers will have moved into the city in the next three weeks, reports Andrew Hedley of Blacks property consultants in Fulford, York.

He said: "In spite of floods, foot and mouth and hiccoughs in tourism, the retail sector in the city is as buoyant as ever.

"I have a portfolio of dozens of letters from big chain retailers asking me to look out for premises in the old city.

"One complaint is that the shops in the city are not of a size which easily allows them to incorporate a standard shopfit.

"But the wonderful thing is that when it comes to York they seem happy to make an exception. When in York, they concede, they'll do as the Yorkies do."

Mr Hedley helped Rita Valpiani, of Harrogate, one of the country's top 100 independent fashion retailers, to open a store in Stonegate, York, last month.

Mr Hedley said it was sad when Yves Rocher pulled out of York and other locations, but the arrival of Rita Valpiani made up for it.

Meanwhile Katherine Hague, manager of the Monks Cross shopping Park, today announced that Clinton Cards would be opening there on May 19.

It will occupy one of two 10,000 sq ft areas divided by new mezzanine floor since Scottish-based Textile World pulled out. She said: "The other 10,000 sq ft space will be occupied by another large retailer which should be extremely good for the shopping park, but no names yet while lawyers conduct the final stage of completion."

The new Clinton Cards comes on top of its city centre move into 6,500 sq ft of the former Mothercare store in Coney Street, along with closure of its smaller operations in Feasegate and Stonegate.

Updated: 09:14 Tuesday, April 22, 2003