York McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Fraser Group change backed

Plans to swap four signs at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet for ones featuring the branding of its new owners Fraser Group PLC have been approved by City of York Council.

The outlet’s application stated the changes came as part of a rebranding exercise taking place after the sale of the site was announced earlier this year.

Council planning officers stated the new signs would not have a negative impact on public amenity or safety.

Submission of the plans in June follows the announcement that the site had been bought by Fraser Group PLC from previous owners Aviva Investors in April.

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The move also saw retail mogul Mike Ashley’s group, which also owns Sports Direct, take over the East Midlands Designer Outlet near Derby and Nottingham.

Plans for the York site, in St Nicholas Avenue, include installing four illuminated signs at the site’s north, south, east and west entrances along with two on totems.

They would bear the outlet’s new owner’s Frasers Plus name and logo.

Council planning officers stated the new signs were based on simple designs and fitted with the scale and position of existing ones.

Plans for new signs at the West Entrance of York’s McArthurGlen Designer Outlet (Image: Fraser Group)

Officers stated: “The proposed totem advertisement will not be any more visually prominent than the existing which in turn will ensure that the visual appearance of the surrounding area is not eroded by additional advertisements.

“This proposal seeks to maintain a consistent signage design across the site.

“The fascia signs are to be located 1.6m above each entrance which accords with the scale of the existing ones and ensures they are positioned appropriately and do not dominate the shopfront.”

Frasers Group chief executive Michael Murray said the strategic acquisitions supported their vision for the group which owns more than one fifths of the UK outlet market.

Paul Tyler, McArthurGlen’s centre manager for York, told The Press in April he did not expect the take over to affect day-to-day operations.

York’s Designer Outlet is home to more than 100 stores along with a number of food and drink outlets.

It covers an area of about 23,000 square metres, or almost 250,000 square feet, and first opened in 1998.