The owners of the former BHS store on Coney Street want to turn part of the site into a restaurant and bar.
The large former department store is being separated into three units. Planning permission is being sought from City of York Council for a change of use in one of those units from retail to food and drink use.
Leeds firm Indigo Planning have brought the planning application on behalf of owners Lloyds Bank SF Nominees. It is said to be in talks with a national restaurant/bar operator wanting to move in.
Evening economy
The unit in question has 760sq m of space extending over three floors, and opens out on to New Street. Plans suggest it could have a retractable roof.
In their planning statement, Indigo writes:
Moreover, the proposed change of use to an A3 / A4 restaurant and bar use would not result in an over-concentration of non-retail uses or lead to a negative impact on the shopping character or function of the New Street frontages.
There are already a select few restaurants and bars along New Street, which demonstrates that the sale of food and drink in this location has previously been deemed acceptable.
Long bar
A long bar is envisaged inside on the ground floor with around one hundred seats at free standing tables and in booths.
The first floor is given over to the kitchen and toilets. Plans for the second floor include a retractable roof as well as an external roof terrace.
The developers say that the redevelopment will result “in new employment, contributing to achieving economic growth.
“It will also lead to linked shopping trips and helping to increase pedestrian footfall along both New Street and within the city centre.”
You can see the plans here.