A MASSIVE new John Peters furniture store will open on the site of a former car dealership in Clifton Moor, it was disclosed today.

The 17,000 sq ft premises in Stirling Road, until recently the Leadley Mercedes dealership, was bought by the Leeds-based furniture store chain this summer with the help of Yorkshire property agent DTZ Debenham Tie Leung.

Work has begun preparing it in time for an opening on Boxing Day. The project will cost about £2 million.

Five staff at the existing 9,000 sq ft John Peters in Clifton Road will eventually transfer into the larger building, "and we may take on perhaps another three people," said director Nicholas Cousins, son of John Cousins, managing director of the company.

He said that discussions were taking place about the future of the lease of the Clifton Road premises with its landlords.

Mr Cousins said: "Clifton Moor has been very successful and these larger premises give us a lot more potential. We will be able to expand our existing range of leather furniture, soft cover upholstery and dining room suites - and we intend to add beds to our range in York for the first time."

The acquisition of the Stirling Road site is part of a huge expansion plan which will see a doubling of John Peters outlets over the next few months.

Updated: 14:57 Thursday, September 26, 2002