TWO historic city centre buildings are being eyed up by Carluccio's as the Italian restaurant chain submits plans to transform the former TSB bank and Swarovski shop in St Helen's Square.

Under the plans the properties will house a new 148-seater, three-storey restaurant and a delicatessen, creating 40 jobs, as well as additional retail and office space.

The two neighbouring buildings have been marketed together since December last year, and according to agents, attracted interest from around 15 restaurant groups.

With a deal agreed in principal, but yet to be finalised, Carluccio's has come out as the front runner as it looks to open a second site in the city, in addition to its 100-seater concession in the Coppergate Centre's Fenwick department store.

A planning application submitted by the group, which was founded by Italian chef Antonio Carluccio, outlines plans for a restaurant and delicatessen on the 16,000sq ft site, as well as retail and office space which will be sublet.

The application states Carluccio’s will lease both 3 and 5 St. Helen’s Square but in reality will only trade from mainly no.3, and not the TSB banking hall situated within no.5, with the intention being to sub-let that to a retail operator.

The Carluccio's operation will use the front part of the Swarovski shop, which was formerly home to Terry's chocolate shop, as a delicatessen, with the restaurant area, kitchen and back of house areas to the rear.

The first floor will provide additional restaurant seating and a staff room, while the second floor with become a private dining area.

The proposal then seeks to convert the former bank building into a multi occupational building consisting of retail and office use, and part of the Carluccio's restaurant.

Planning agents acting on behalf of Carluccio's said: "Throughout, the design approach will be to ensure that any historically significant features are safeguarded, and to ensure that the character and appearance of this listed building within the conservation area is enhanced as far as possible with the aim of achieving a sensitive alteration.

"The proposal inevitably removes insensitive features and accretions from the previous occupancy and use, reveals the important features of the historic building where these are intact and gives the interiors of the building a new lease of life.

"In particular it is hoped that bringing the first floor accommodation into full time use will be a positive contribution to the of the building."

The application states that Carluccio’s, which has more than 85 restaurants across the country, has been "looking for some time" to open a second site in York as its concession in Fenwick closes at 6pm.

The bank building was built in 1830 for the York County Savings Bank and was extended in 1924. The words "Savings Bank" are still visible at the top of the building.

The former Terrys premises once had a thriving Terry’s chocolate shop and restaurant; the Terry name, set in stone, is still evident today. Terry's also converted the premises into a ballroom and restaurant, while retaining its status as a confectionery shop, an arrangement that lasted until 1981.

Swarovski was housed in the former Terry’s store before moving to Coney Street. The vacated shop was initially marketed to prospective retailers when it closed last summer, but when TSB revealed in December it was pooling all its resources at its nearby Parliament Street branch, new potential opened up for the buildings.