Marks & Spencer has signed as the second anchor at Hammerson and Town Centre Securities’ Eastgate Quarters scheme in Leeds.

The 196,450 sq ft (18,250 sq m) store will sit alongside more than 100 other retail units and John Lewis has already taken the scheme’s other anchor spot. M&S will offer a full range of food, fashion and homewares.

Hammerson head of retail leasing Sheila King said: “Having John Lewis and a flagship M&S is a powerful combination to take the development forward. It’s going to shift the retail offering of Leeds.”

Eastgate Quarters, located in the Eastgate and Harewood Quarters of the city, gained planning permission in February last year. The scheme will carry 1.2 million sq ft (110,000 sq m) of retail space, alongside restaurants, bars, a hotel, office space, up to 600 homes and 2,700 car parking spaces.

Construction is expected to start in 2009, with completion in 2012.