Managing director Tracy Harvey announced big plans were scheduled for the store, including a makeover for the restaurant.

She said: "You can't afford to stop moving on. You have to keep investing and keep making yourselves better."

The store is also focusing on bringing in more high street brands.

Tracy said she is keen to challenge a public perception of the store – that it only caters for the older generations and is expensive.

She said: "If people come into the store and then they said they didn't like it, that's fine. But it's hard when they walk past and don't come in.

"We have the biggest selections here. We brought Wallis and Principles in here, which have not been in Halifax before. A lot of people don't know they are here. Over the next three to five years we want to bring more brands in.

"We are not trying to alienate our loyal customers either though. It's about bringing in new areas that would appeal to the younger audience."

And a fashion focus event is being held on September 9 to launch the revamped fashion floor.

Tracy said: "The future is bright and it's really exciting. We have been here 50 years and my job is to make sure we are here another 50 years – I'm really confident we will do that."

She said one of the store's key strengths was accessories and shoes as shoppers were preferring to buy items to dress up their look rather than buy a new dress.

And she added the restaurant was doing well: "The social element of retail is strong. People want a coffee and to have a look but they are being more cautious about what they spend."