York & North Yorkshire Chamber gives strong backing for Pavers expansion plans

York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce today issues its strong backing for the expansion plans of York firm Pavers.

Family-owned Pavers, founded in the city more than 50 years ago and one of the country’s leading footwear retailers, is looking to expand its headquarters at Northminster Business Park.

Pavers is looking create 130 new jobs in York through 11,015 square metres expansion of its logistics and distribution facility.

The expansion plan represents a £10m investment by the Company into York and is due to go before City of York Planning Committee in the next few weeks.

The plans have also been amended following a previous planning application for expansion which was rejected at Planning Committee in November 2022.

Sarah Czarnecki, president of York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Pavers is a York success story, having been founded by Catherine Paver in 1971 in the city.

“The firm now boasts 180 stores and employs 1,750 people nationwide, 300 of which are based at its York headquarters.

“The proposed expansion plans will be of significant benefit to the city of York. As well as creating another 130 skilled jobs, the majority being skilled roles to meet the needs of the high technology logistics operations, the expansion has been forecast to generate an additional £6.44m GVA annually for York – which, when added to the existing operation, is worth an incredible £222.29m over 10 years.

“Bosses at Pavers have carried out a comprehensive and painstaking review of its proposals in order to address the issues given for refusal 18 months ago.

“Given the efforts gone to by Pavers, and the enormous economic benefits its plans will mean for York’s economy and society, it is the Chamber’s strong view that it should be granted by planners.

“Granting permission would send a clear message that York is a city that is not only open for business, but a place to invest in and create jobs.

“I call upon planners to think of York’s future and give Pavers its full backing.”