The new shop, which is targeted to open in Autumn 2010, will be the principal anchor for the proposed Eastgate and Harewood Quarter development in Leeds City Centre. It will represent a £40 million investment and will generate up to 900 jobs.

The Eastgate and Harewood Quarter development is an approximately 1,000,000 sq ft retail-led mixed use scheme by joint developers Hammerson and Town Centre Securities who have formed a joint venture known as “The Leeds Partnership”, and represents a key part of the masterplan for the city centre currently being implemented by Leeds City Council. In addition to the new John Lewis department store, the development will include retail and leisure facilities, 500 residential units, 2,500 parking spaces and a new public space. A planning application will be submitted before the end of the year.

Ann Humphries, Retail Development Director of John Lewis, said, “We are delighted to have finally found the right location for John Lewis to serve Leeds and the extensive Yorkshire catchment area. We know that many of these customers already visit our department stores, and we are excited at the prospect of providing them with a John Lewis closer to home.

“We have been working with Leeds City Council for a long time to secure a John Lewis department store in Leeds, and the support of Councillor Carter and his colleagues in recent months has been instrumental in unlocking this opportunity.”

Andrew Carter, Leader of Leeds City Council, said, “The Eastgate and Harewood development is a vital component in the regeneration of Leeds City Centre. We are delighted that John Lewis has committed to the City and remain convinced that the combined skills provided by Hammerson and Town Centre Securities will ensure that the proposed scheme will meet the City’s unique requirements.”

John Bywater, Managing Director UK of Hammerson, commented, “We have been working closely with Leeds Council to bring forward this development which we believe will bring a vibrant new element to Leeds city centre. The decision by John Lewis to be a central part of this new city quarter is a clear demonstration of retailer confidence in the strength of our proposal.”

Edward Ziff, Chairman and Chief Executive of Town Centre Securities, stated, “This is a landmark project for Town Centre Securities in our home city and we are committed to delivering an exciting new environment of which the people of Leeds can be proud. Through our partnership with the City Council and with Hammerson we will be able to create a major regional destination which will become a blueprint for other towns and cities across the UK.”

With the opening of a department store in Leeds, John Lewis will fill a major regional gap in its UK coverage. It is the latest announcement as part of its plans to open 10 new shops in new locations from 2007.