ANOTHER bar could be on its way for York city centre, as planning documents reveal plans for a huge empty space in the city centre.

The owners of the old BHS building want to convert part of it.

The property has been empty since August when the chain folded, and now Leeds-based Indigo Planning have submitted an application on behalf of owners Lloyds Bank SF Nominees, to start converting and reusing the site.

>>> See the planning application here

They want to divide the shop into three units, one each to be accessed from Coney Street, New Street, and Feasegate - with the New Street unit to be converted into a restaurant or bar.

A planning statement reveals talks are already going on with a mystery national restaurant and bar operator who are interested in the site.

The planning agents wrote: “There are already a select few restaurants and bars along New Street, which demonstrates that the sale of food and drink in this location has previously been deemed acceptable.

“The proposal would result in a number of benefits. It will bring a vacant unit back into use and secure is long term use and providing an active frontage along New Street, as well as resulting in new employment, contributing to achieving economic growth.”

Plans show the New Street unit would have seating and a bar on the ground floor, toilets and kitchen on the first floor, and more seating with a roof terrace on the second floor.

York Press:

Famed London venue The Ivy recently revealed it was seeking a York site, but the company said the New Street plan is not their's.

Meanwhile, the Coney Street unit would take in most of ground floor and around a third of the first floor of the old shop, with the Feasegate unit encompassing the rest of the first floor.

A bar or restaurant would need licensing as well as planning permission, and New Street falls within the “Cumulative Impact Zone", meaning potentially tougher licensing restrictions.