The site of the former Terry’s Chocolate Factory in York is to benefit from a £185m regeneration make-over.

The 25-acre site of The Chocolate Works will be a mixed-use development comprising of 350,000 sq ft of office space, spread over two floors of the old factory and throughout eight new-build units, one of which will include a digital and creative technology centre. The site will also house 41,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space including two hotels and a plaza surrounded by cafes and restaurants.

Subject to planning permission being granted work is set to begin on site immediately and it is hoped that by completion the redevelopment will help to create 2,800 jobs. The development is set to expand in three to five years with plans including 225 homes, a medical centre and a 60 bedroom care home.

Jonathan Gale, partner at King Sturge, told PIN “The Chocolate Works will become the most prestigious commercial development in York. We are aiming for completion of the first phase in about a year’s time and we expect the quality of the development to help foster increased rental growth in the York market.”