Oliver Bonas to relocate in York

Oliver Bonas is set to relocate its store in York, with the fashion and homeware retailer moving from 35 Stonegate to the former Boots store 1 King’s Square.

The retailer will occupy the 2,164 sq ft ground floor of the building, with Helmsley Group – which agreed the letting – looking to transform the unused upper floors into residential accommodation.

Subject to planning approval, the project will help realise Helmsley Group’s aspirations to bring residential space to unused upper floors throughout the city. This is a strategy that also features in the group’s recently-approved masterplan for the redevelopment of the nearby Coney Street, which looks to revitalise the street’s retail and residential offering while reconnecting the high street to the river.

Max Reeves, director at Helmsley Group, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Oliver Bonas to a new larger store on King’s Square and look eagerly towards developing the upper floors of the building to create new city centre living space.

“There are disused upper floors like those at 1 King’s Square across the city and it is our ambition to use York’s historic buildings to their full potential by bringing these floors back into use as much needed city centre homes.”