EXPANSION is on the cards for a York Italian restaurant as the family that owns it looks to capitalise on the introduction of 600 new vehicles on their doorstep.

Planning permission has been granted for an extension at Luigis Ristorante in Upper Poppleton to house the business's new delicatessen and cafe.

The plans were submitted as proprietors Angelo and Aisling Gioiello look to draw in new trade from the Poppleton Bar Park and Ride, which opened last week next to their restaurant.

Stephen Cook from Aurora Conservatories, which acted as agents for Luigi's, said: "With the new Park and Ride development being located across from Luigi's, it is inevitable there will be an increase in the number of potential customers being drawn to the local area and a rise in the general footfall passing by the restaurant.

"The applicant feels the deli could make a valuable contribution serving the users of the Park and rise with the sale of coffees, teas, cakes and sandwiches.

"This will add a different element to the strength of the current business and offer employment opportunities locally."

The plans, which have now been approved by City of York Council's planning committee, are for a main deli to be located in a new two-storey building to the southern part of the site, with the deli kitchen and serving counter on the ground floor and a staff room on the second floor along with improved storage for the deli and restaurant.

Between the deli and existing restaurant there will be a glazed walkway to connect the two buildings.

In its application the business said the takeaway element of the operation would be teas and coffees and cold food, and that the delicatessen

and takeaway is the main purpose of the application while the provision of a seating area and cafe would be a secondary element.

The Gioiello's opened Luigi's ten years ago after they converted their home into an Italian restaurant.

They brought in bar and kitchen equipment, including a pizza oven, directly from Italy, and even flew in a tile specialist from Sardinia to lay the granite tile floor.