City hoping for hundreds of jobs as store giant signs up

The national retailer has signed a new lease at Evander Properties' Sherburn Distribution Park, a move that will create up to 800 jobs, in one of the largest industrial property lettings this year.

The director of policy at Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Ian Williams, said that as well as the direct jobs boost for the economy, there would also be benefits for smaller firms.

He said: "It is welcome news that such a well-known high-street retailer is further investing in the Leeds City Region. It will be a huge boost for the local economy and jobs market, and we hope that it will act as a catalyst for more businesses to invest in the distribution park and the surrounding area.

"It is also positive news for small businesses in the local area, which may benefit either directly or indirectly from the Debenhams supply chain."

Debenhams has signed a 27-year lease at an undisclosed rent for the large warehouse unit and office space. The company will start fitting out the centre immediately and will move in to the premises in June 2011.

The director of Evander Properties, Neil Dickinson, said; "The major investment by Debenhams is an excellent result for the region and continues a successful year for Sherburn Distribution Park."

Debenhams will join existing tenant Sala International, which relocated from London to establish a northern operation at the end of last year, as well as haulage firm Eddie Stobart and supermarket Sainsburys.

Earlier this month Debenhams also announced it was moving into a 96,000 sq ft department store building within Wakefield's landmark Trinity Walk shopping complex.

Due to open in spring 2011, the 180m shopping centre was a high profile casualty of the recession as the original development firm went into administration.

Shepherd Construction, Area Property Partners and Sovereign Land rescued the scheme, buying it from administrators in December 2009.

A spokesman for Debenhams said; "Clearly this is great news for the region and we are delighted to be the ones to create these jobs.

"Add to this the refurbishment of our Leeds city centre store, which officially opens next week, a new Debenhams coming to Wakefield and our existing White Rose store – it shows a very real commitment to the Yorkshire area."

Debenhams has joined Marks and Spencer, with its "mega-shed" centre in Bradford, in opening a major distribution hub in the Yorkshire region.

The 67m building at ProLogis Park is the largest warehouse in the Marks and Spencer network and one of the biggest in the UK. It will employ more than 1,200 people when fully operational.