Gun shop to nail bar? It’s York’s oddest shop swap

Instead of pistols there’ll be polish, instead of blades there’ll be buffers.

The new business moving into what used to be York’s most controversial shop has been revealed. And it couldn’t be more different.

Blue Moon Trading was a fixture of Goodramgate for 11 years, selling knives, airguns, ammunition and associated items – until owner Stuart Sykes closed the doors in July.

It looks like his former store is set to change into an altogether less confrontational presence. Permission is being sought from City of York Council for the shop to be turned into a nail bar and beauty salon.

The salon will open from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday according to a planning application.

Latest revamp

The nail bar will certainly prove less controversial. Over its time on the street Blue Moon sparked a series of storms, including when it was criticised by a council leader for selling a rock-band style T-shirt with the slogan Adolf Hitler’s Tour of Europe.

It continues the trend of new businesses opening on Goodramgate. The city centre’s first axe-throwing bar and restaurant, The Hilt, followed the creation of The Cat’s Whiskers cat café.

Most recently the former Cut & Chase restaurant was reborn as Fancy Hanks, with more of a Deep South vibe.

Elsewhere other premises remain empty. Both Cuffs & Co and Today’s Express on the street closed recently.