The future of a large York store is uncertain after a plan was submitted to build flats above it.
The Lakeland store currently operates over two floors of High Ousesgate in the city centre.
But that would have to change if six flats were built on the first and second floors.
Under plans submitted to City of York Council, a seventh flat would be constructed on the roof of the building too.
The scheme has been put forward by Blinch (UK) Limited, an engineering consultancy based in Stockton on the Forest.
If it went ahead, Lakeland would have to downsize and operate only on the first floor, should it decide to continue trading from that location.
Planning documents state: “The current lease on the building is due to be reviewed and this has created an opportunity for the applicant to ‘future-proof’ the building.
“The applicant owns a number of shops within York and his experience is that fewer shops require three-storey accommodation with more sales occurring online, city centre shops acting as more of a ‘window display’ and, in the face of rising costs, businesses wishing to reduce overheads by renting smaller spaces.
“The proposal therefore seeks to maximise use of the building by converting the upper storeys of the building, including one floor of commercial space and one floor of office space, to residential use to create seven new permanent dwellings.”
We asked Lakeland about the application. A spokesperson for Lakeland told us: “The business is not able to discuss the details of its store leases.”
The building, which occupies 9 and 10 High Ousegate, was built as a shop for Burtons tailors in 1933. It is Grade II listed.
“It is significant for the aesthetic value of the principal elevation which is a fine example of early C20 Art Deco and neo-classicism,” the plans say.
“It has historical value as a purpose-built department store for Burton Tailors recording a period of change in the retail architecture of the city.”
Five two-bedroom and two one-bedroom flats are proposed, including the one on the roof.
Planning documents say the flat roof of the building “has been utilised as a platform for unauthorised access, graffiti and free-running”.
They say: “The proposals will discourage various types of antisocial behaviours which are dangerous, unsightly and unsanitary and which are currently causing physical damage to both the listed building and its listed neighbour and which are placing pedestrians on Peter Lane at risk.”
You can read and comment on the plans here.