YORK'S Coppergate Riverside development could include a Tesco Metro store - and internationally- renowned fashion retailers.

Developers Land Securities revealed today that initial discussions have been held with Tesco over the possible opening of a city centre food store.

And big names from the world of high fashion, including British designer store Karen Millen, H&M Hennes from Sweden, Zara from Spain, and French beauty products retailer Sephora, have expressed an interest in locating there.

The Evening Press reported last week how a retail study, commissioned by City of York Council, was urging the authority to consider a new city centre food store within the Coppergate development area, given the "extremely limited" current provision.

The retail consultants suggested a Tesco Metro might fit the bill. A Metro would represent a return to the area by Tesco, which had a supermarket further along Piccadilly until it closed in the 1980s.

The council is set to consider Land Securities' £60 million scheme to re-develop the site between Piccadilly and Clifford's Tower at a special planning meeting next week.

Land Securities said a food store was high on its list of prospective tenants.

Diana Dickson, manager of the Coppergate Centre, owned by Land Securities, said: "It is early days as yet, but a Tesco Metro - a type of food store which is proving extremely successful in other city centres - would, we believe, be ideal for Coppergate Riverside.

"It is no secret Debenhams want to be in the new development, and we also expect to attract tenants such as H&M Hennes from Sweden, Zara from Spain, British designer store Karen Millen, and Sephora, the French beauty products retailer.

"The combination of food, department and fashion stores, with restaurants, offices, leisure space and homes, is designed to provide a balanced mixture of activity that will make Coppergate Riverside a vibrant extension of the city centre, which can be used by people both day and night."

She said that since its opening in 1984, the Coppergate Centre, with its mixture of shops, homes, cafes and the Jorvik Viking Centre, had become a living part of York, bringing economic and social benefits. She believed Coppergate Riverside would have an equally positive effect.

A public meeting to discuss an alternative scheme by the campaign group York Tomorrow - for the site near Clifford's Tower to be turned into public parkland - takes place at 7.30 tonight at the Guildhall.