BIG retail chains are casting an interested eye over a huge shop space which has come on the market in the heart of York.

The former ill-fated all:sports and its neighbouring shop, now used under licence by The Natural World, in Coney Street, are both up for a combined rent of £350,000 per year, exclusive of rates.

The properties, which have a combined floor space of more than 4,000 sq ft, are being offered on sub-leases, each for a minimum 15 years, by agents SGP Property Consultants, of Leicester.

Tom Dymond, of SGP, said: "We have had expressions of interest from large retail chains, both for the individual shops and for the two combined. It is not often that the prospect of such a large shopping area presents itself."

The shops, opposite St Martins Church, are owned by London-based Tryst Enterprises Ltd, but Mr Dymond is representing an unnamed main leaseholder. Tryst Enterprises also owns the two storeys above the shops, which are occupied by the Brook Street Bureau.

All:sports recently went into administration and was bought out by the JD sportswear group, but Number 12 Coney Street was one of the all:sports shops that remained vacant. There is already a JD Sports in Coney Street. The lease is on offer for £225,000 per annum.

Neighbouring number 12b became vacant when clothing shop Eisenegger pulled out. The Natural World was allowed in under licence. The lease is being offered there for £125,000.

A big lure for prospective leaseholders is the fact that Coney Street is the area of choice for other national multiple retailers such as HMV, Virgin Megastore, River Island and Next.

"We have had interest both as individual and joint units, but as yet no offers. But judging by the location in the heart of York, it is just a matter of time," said Mr Dymond.

Updated: 10:36 Tuesday, December 06, 2005