A SKIPTON housing and retail complex - which will include Marks & Spencer - should be up and running by the autumn.

Norman Simpson's project to turn his former bus depot in Albion Yard into nine maisonettes, three offices, garages and retail space is in the final phase.

He has been in negotiations with Marks & Spencer for many months, since the company expressed an interest in opening a Simply Food outlet within the development.

Mr Simpson, who owns Pennine Motors, said solicitors were waiting for the signing of warranties before the two parties could exchange contracts.

But Mr Simpson said he was confident the retailer was as keen as ever to move in and negotiations were on the "home straight".

"We have every indication that, by August, they should be able to start fitting out their store. With luck everything will be finished by the end of September," he added.

Mr Simpson said the nine homes would be put on the market in October. He added that the money for the sales would go back into covering the building work, which had cost millions.

Mr Simpson told the Herald he hoped the development lasted longer than his grandfather's chapel, which stood on Gargrave Road for 80 years.

He said: "I think the people of Skipton should be pleased with what we are offering to the town."