The Hard Rock Café group is actively seeking a new partner in York after it pulled out of the TK Maxx development.
Proposals to create a Hard Rock Café in number 48 Coney Street were first announced in May 2022, with full visuals revealed a year ago.
Now though, the group has withdrawn from that venue, which is being redeveloped by York company North Star.
Plans to convert the shop into a café and aparthotel were approved by City of York Council in July.
Now North Star plans to go ahead with the 64-room hotel and is seeking a new operator to run the café. The project is set to create 100 jobs.
A North Star spokesperson told YorkMix: “We are proceeding with the development of the aparthotel and working with a number of interested parties for the ground floor and basement.
“Unfortunately, this property did not work for Hard Rock Café but we hope that an alternative location can be found.
“We will be announcing the chosen operators for the building in the coming weeks.”
The spokesperson said an announcement would follow “soon”.
Hard Rock still wants to open a café in York.
In a statement, it said: “Hard Rock International will unfortunately not be opening a Hard Rock Cafe with business entity ‘North Start Rocks Limited’ at 48 Coney Street, York.
“However, York remains an important market for Hard Rock international, and there is a vested interest in opening and outlet in York.”
The American diner-inspired brand is seeking a new partner – and York is a prominent franchise opportunity on its website.
The applicant must be “experienced multi-unit operators who have a $2m net worth and liquidity of at least $1m” and have experience of two or more of the following criteria:
- Operating experience and good knowledge of target market
- Owned or operated your own restaurant business
- Owned or operated your own franchise business
- Owned or operated a multi-unit business
- Dealt with the supply chain in retail and food and beverage sectors.
You can find out more and apply here.
The news that Hard Rock has pulled out of TK Maxx will be disappointing for York business leaders who hailed its arrival as a boost for the city centre.
It comes after a challenging time for North Star. It was a key partner is a number of ambitious projects which have since failed, including plans for a Roman Quarter including a museum in Rougier Street, a new music venue and offices on the Fibbers site, and the redevelopment of the Heworth gas works site.
It is still working with Grantside to deliver student accommodation on the former Mecca Bingo site.