It has been empty for the best part of two years, but a prominent York shop is about to get a new lease of life.
The Thorntons chocolate shop on Parliament Street closed in January 2020.
It followed the shop chain reviewing “our store estate to ensure we are in the locations that meet our customer needs”, a spokesperson said at the time.
The unit has remained vacant since then – despite being on the street in York city centre which now has the heaviest footfall.
But shopfitters are now working on the interior of the store, which is set to reopen soon as The Fragrance Shop.
Established in 1994, The Fragrance Shop describes itself as “the UK’s largest independent, fragrance retailer”.
“Our aim is to make mainstream and luxury fragrance affordable and accessible,” the website says.
“We showcase over 150 fragrance brands and over 200 beauty brands, all of which are available for you to browse online at your leisure. Don’t forget our fabulous selections in-store too!”
The Parliament Street building, between Costa Coffee and Optical Express, dates from the 1830s.
A planning application submitted to City of York Council outlines internal and external alterations, including a new shop front and changes to the ground floor layout.
There would be a new timber shopfront, glazing and sliding doors. The fascia would be painted blue to match The Fragrance Shop brand.
“The proposed changes do not deviate away from the accepted visual and material frontage and interior of the building,” planning documents state.
You can read the planning application online here.
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