Barnitts gets bigger! Historic store plans new retail showroom outside the city centre

For more than 100 years it has been one of York’s favourite shops.

And in that time Barnitts has expanded along Colliergate until it had no more room to grow.

But that hasn’t limited the homeware store. It is now set to open a retail showroom on York’s outskirts, in addition to its famous city centre shop.

Plans are in to convert a warehouse on James Street into a sister store. And with parking provided it will also be the place for shoppers to pick up items ordered from Colliergate via the ‘click and collect’ online service.

What’s on sale

The 1970 warehouse is owned by Barnitts, via its pension investment company White Gables Properties Ltd.

Under plans to be submitted to City of York Council, it would be converted into a retail outlet.

There would be a shopfloor of 7,000 sq ft (the Colliergate store has 45,000 sq ft of shopping).

On sale at James Street would be large furniture items, domestic lighting, hardware, work wear clothing, as well as the ‘click and collect’ area for goods sold in the Colliergate shop.

The plans allow for 19 customer parking bays.

New jobs

A new mezzanine floor would be created for storage, and part of the building would be turned into office space.

Eight jobs would be created at the new retail store and distribution centre.

Established in 1896, Barnitts’ York city centre shop remains in the same Colliergate building where it was founded.

Over its 121-year history its stock has grown and now the range of products includes electricals, furniture, homewares, kitchenware, lighting and a garden centre.

The planning documents submitted to the council quote the family-owned shop’s website: “One of the local sayings is ‘if Barnitts haven’t got it, you can’t get it anywhere!’

“The shopping experience is even more enjoyable because of the relaxed and friendly atmosphere.”