Pavers Shoes and Cotton Traders are the latest businesses to sign up to the new £8.5 million Albion Place development in Skipton.

Currently in the final stages of construction, the scheme – on and behind the High Street – is now more than 95 per cent let with other tenants including Cotswold Outdoor, Chevin Cycles, Next and Dawsons Department Stores.

Pizza Express is due to be the first to open on March 27, with all others expected to be up and running before the Easter holiday.

Graham Pilkington, senior development surveyor for Maple Grove Developments, which appointed Eric Wright Construction to undertake building works, said: “Pavers Shoes and Cotswold Outdoors are two very strong national retailers.”

Steve Collyer, general manager at Pavers Shoes, said: “We are really excited to become part of the Albion Place development as this retail space has the potential to become a popular shopping destination for customers across the region.”

Shona Jameson, head of marketing at Cotton Traders added: “There has been pent-up demand for larger-size retail units within the area so we are excited to be joining the scheme.”

York-based shoe retailer Pavers bought 14 shops from the administrators of Bradford-based Barratts which failed for the third time in five years in November, saving 150 jobs.