Marks & Spencer today opened its new-look York store, hoping it will herald a turnaround in the company's fortunes. It will certainly boost York.

Marks & Spencer once stood for the best in British quality and service. Lately it has been rocked by a revolution in High Street shopping.

Its strategy for recovery is not without risk. The store hopes to attract younger customers with its exclusive Autograph fashion collection, while not alienating its older, more traditional clientele.

The Autograph collection is being showcased only in a small number of branches. The reopened York store is one of them, reflecting Marks & Spencer's belief in the city's importance as a shopping centre. Hopefully it will lure people to York from far and wide. That would benefit all our flood-hit city retailers.