Primark the latest to move into Trinity Leeds

The chain will take 90,000 sq ft over three storeys in the new shopping and leisure centre, representing the largest space taken by a single fashion brand to date.

It will create 240 jobs, said a spokesman for developer Land Securities.

He added: “There’s a real sense of excitement in the city about the Trinity Leeds development and its investment in Leeds.

“You can already see that it is transforming the city and people are eagerly awaiting the opening. Primark’s new store has just increased the anticipation.

“It’s another milestone for the project and a real demonstration of our strong relationship with Primark.

“Together we are showing confidence in this great city.”

A spokeswoman for Associated British Foods, the Primark owner, said its other two Leeds stores, in the White Rose shopping centre and the Headrow, will remain trading as normal.

Trinity Leeds is set to open in 2013 and is the first UK shopping centre to go ahead since the recession. It has achieved 58 per cent pre-let and in solicitors’ hands.

Other retailers include Next and River Island, which are relocating within the city to the scheme, while Top Shop is expanding its existing store into the development.

Fashion retailers Hollister and Cult will be new entrants to the city, with unconfirmed reports that Apple is set to sign up.

Trinity Leeds has signed up international restaurant operator D&D London, which will open two roof-top restaurants designed by Sir Terence Conran.

A Land Securities spokesman said Trinity Leeds is expected to catapult Leeds from seventh to fourth place in the UK retail rankings, surpassing Manchester.

“I don’t want this to be just another retail shopping centre in a city. I want it to have something which is different and which people will remember as unique to Leeds,” said Gerald Jennings, a director at Land Securities.