When complete, the Flemingate centre will be home to a host of big retail names with Arcadia, which includes the Top Shop and Top Man brands, the latest to sign up to the scheme. It will join H & M, Wilkinson, Premier Inn and the anchor retailer Debenhams in the 10-acre development which is due to be open to the public by Christmas 2015.

As one of the biggest construction companies in Yorkshire, Willmott Dixon will start work to build the development which will become a focal point for shopping, eating and leisure activities in the area. Other features include a five-screen digital cinema complex operated by Parkway Cinemas and multi-storey parking for more than 550 cars.

Dominic Gibbons, managing director of the Wykeland Group, said Flemingate would significantly add to Beverley’s retail offering, making the town even more attractive to visitors and shoppers from across the region.

He added: “Beverley is a beautiful town which already attracts significant numbers of people to its extensive offering of quality independent shops. We believe Flemingate, by focusing on larger, quality national brands, will considerably broaden the town’s retail offering, making Beverley a top location. With Arcadia’s commitment to Flemingate coinciding with work commencing on site, we have reached a significant milestone in the development’s history.”

Willmott Dixon’s managing director in the North, Anthony Dillon, said: “Flemingate is a fantastic scheme for the whole region, attracting inward investment that will bring long-term economic and leisure benefits to Beverley. We have a strong track-record in the county and are looking forward to delivering a truly great shopping and leisure facility.”

Coun. Stephen Parnaby, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, praised Wykeland for their determination and tenacity in bringing their vision for the former tannery and chemical works site through to reality. He said: “The development and planning process for this land began way back in 2005, if not earlier, and the company is to be congratulated for now being able to deliver such an important scheme.

“It is just what the town needs. Beverley is a thriving, bustling community of independents shops which give the town its character and offer fantastic, artisan products they would not get elsewhere, but the town lacks the commercial space needed to accommodate large national retailers that have wanted to come here for many years but have not been able.

“Flemingate provides that space and testament to that is the quality of the brands that have signed up to be part of the development, which will provide shoppers with extra choice when visiting our precious and historic town.”