Talks are being held which could see the first Marks & Spencer store opened in Skipton - home town of one of the original founders of company.
Developer Norman Simpson is in negotiations with M&S bosses about them occupying part of his former bus garage in Albion Yard, Skipton.
Most of the old building has been demolished and a new building is under construction.
Marks & Spencer has expressed an interest in setting up a Simply Food outlet.
A draft lease has been drawn up between the two parties and solicitors are currently studying the details of the document.
Mr Simpson said: "There's certainly a commitment. It's back with the solicitors and sooner or later something is going to happen."
He added that work to convert his former depot into the retail unit, three offices and nine maisonettes was also progressing.
Thomas Spencer, who was born in what was Queen's Court, Skipton - near the present Woolworths store in Caroline Square - founded M&S with partner Michael Marks in 1894.
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