WOMEN shoppers in York are in for a treat, as international fashion retailer Jane Norman opens a store today on the city’s “premier shopping street”.

The shop, which has created 12 jobs, is in Coney Street, where it occupies the previous home of clothing outlet Jack Jones.

The company’s website says the Jane Norman brand targets “16 to 25-year-old fashion-conscious women with sexy and affordable adaptations of catwalk trends”.

Items on sale at the shop include casual T-shirts, knits and jersey pieces, denim wear, swimwear and occasion wear with a selection of jewellery, bags and accessories.

City councillor Janet Looker, who represents Guildhall ward, today welcomed the new store, and said she took it as a signal that Coney Street was “still holding its own”.

She said: “Obviously I’m delighted. I know there have been some concerns at Coney Street, especially when you get the odd charity shop in Coney Street, you think: ‘Oh dear, is it beginning to slip?’ I hope it is still retaining its position as York’s premier shopping street. It’s got some super names on it.”

A spokeswoman for the shop said: “Jane Norman is delighted to announce the opening of a new store in York. “We believe that York is a city in an area where we did not have a presence; previously the nearest stores for our customers in this area would have been Hull or Leeds. “We look forward to welcoming our York customers, new and existing, into store.

“Jane Norman is widely recognised as one of the most enigmatic and successful young fashion retailers on the high street. The brand operates from more than 200 outlets throughout the UK, Ireland, Europe and the Middle East.

“The success lies in Jane Norman’s ability to bring together the latest fashion influences in its own, very unique, handwriting creating a feminine, yet sexy and confident style.

“The collections epitomise the very nature of the Jane Norman girl – looking good and feeling great.”

The spokeswoman said the first 1,000 customers would receive a free Jane Norman bag. Jane Norman is the second new store to open in the city centre in recent weeks, with upmarket London shirtmaker TM Lewin opening earlier this month in St Sampson’s Square.