A Polo Ralph Lauren Classic factory outlet will open at BAA McArthurGlen in York next April bringing 30 new jobs, 15 of them full-time.

The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet organisation is staying tight-lipped about the arrival of the designer clothes firm, sticking to its policy of saying nothing until the ink is dry on contracts.

But thisisyork can reveal that this Ralph Lauren factory outlet - the seventh in the UK - will occupy about 6,000 sq ft at the modern centre in Fulford.

The emphasis will be less on jeans, as at other Polo Ralph Lauren factory outlets, more on men's, women's and children's clothing generally, plus the brand name home collection of linen and towels. All will be on offer at discount prices of between 30 and 60 per cent. Meanwhile, the designer label firm has begun recruiting in York, seeking a manager, an assistant manager, sales people and a manager for a warehouse at the back of the store.

The arrival of Polo Ralph Lauren follows the opening last November of a huge "department store-style" house and home section in a separate mall at the designer outlet centre's new east wing, including concessions from Jane Heath Home, giftware and soft furnishings, Bed and Bath, Roman Originals, the womenswear group, Spiegelau, the German crystal distributor, Coloroll and Caf Nero.

Donnay International, the sportwear and shoes brand also reserved 6,000 sq ft in the east wing.

Updated: 10:54 Friday, January 26, 2001