THE Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Peacocks, and Bonmarche have been revealed as three of the shops lined up to take up units in the former Rackhams House of Fraser department store in Skipton.

Redevelopment of the store, that occupied 31 to 41 High Street until it closed in 2019, and is grade two listed, has been ongoing since planning permission and listed building consent was approved by North Yorkshire Council in April.

The redevelopment will see the former department store, originally three buildings, made into four separate units; three at the front, and one at the back.

There will be 'modest' changes to the front, and also changes to the rear later extension and the reconfiguration of the car park to make it more of an attractive walk through to the High Street.

At the time, the council welcomed the application by Equorium Property Ltd as as a welcome 'restoration and maintenance' of the buildings and an 'enhancement' of the town centre conservation area.

In the past, the once separate buildings have been home to department stores, Ambler, and Brown, Muff's; and also to The Carla Beck milk bar.

Boarding at the High Street frontage is expected to be in place until November 11.

Additional planning applications to do with signage associated with the redevelopment have also been approved by the council.

A planning officer's report, recommending approval, explains there will be three individual projecting hanging signs at the High Street frontage. The stores will each have their own individual signs and will be finished in their branding colours. Existing windows in the ginnel to the rear will be covered with an anti-graffiti laminate vinyl.

The report states: "The proposed signage to the front elevation is considered to be similar in appearance to the other shops on the high street, and the adjacent shops to the application site. The individual hanging signs and raised lettering are a common feature within the High Street setting.

It is therefore considered that the proposed signage would not be an incongruous feature, and the proposed signs would not have a detrimental impact on the setting of the listed buildings and Skipton Conservation Area."

It will be a return to the town for The Edinburgh Woollen Mill which for several years had a shop in Sheep Street. Shops sell clothing and accessories for men and women.

Both Peacocks and Bonmarche are part of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill group. Peacocks specialises in fast-fashion, while Bonmarche also sells clothing, offering 'style and comfort at affordable prices'.