An investigation is planned at a former York bookshop and listed building.
Number 36 Fossgate, formerly home to Fossgate Books, is now empty.
Owners the Company of Merchant Adventurers are looking to bring the building back into use but are asking permission to carry out investigation work into its structural integrity.
Documents submitted to City of York Council say: “36 Fossgate is currently empty and The Company of Merchant Adventurers is investigating the option of conducting essential structural works as the building is currently not fit for use.
“Additional planning permission will be sought for the proposed design but prior to submission the structural engineers need to conduct investigation works to ensure the plans are feasible.
“Without conducting these works to assess the integrity of the building the structura I engineers cannot advise if our proposed plans for 36 Fossgate are feasible.
“Currently the property is not in a good state of repair and does require renovation or risk further dilapidation.”
The works proposed are:
- Carry out one trial hole on the basement floor, next to the rear wall and party wall to determine the profile and depth of the footing and subsoil makeup
- Remove one or two blocks to determine the thickness of the party wall at ground-floor and first floor levels (without disturbing the neighbours)
- Lift additional floorboards on the second floor to confirm the size of the two existing beams.
Fossgate Books closed a year ago after trading in the shop for 30 years. It came after owner Alex Helstrip retired.
Both numbers 35 and 36 Fossgate are Grade II listed. They date from around 1812 and were originally an inn and a house.