Hairdresser's salon in York to be turned into Viking-themed cafe & bar

A licensing application, due to be decided next week, shows that developers want to convert an empty shop unit on 4 Patrick Pool, near the Shambles Market, into a cafe and bar with a loose “Viking” theme.

The building has most recently been Papillon hairdresser's., in 

The application, made by Vincent Roberts, says the new venue would be called Valhalla York and would operate as a “subtle themed Viking cafe/ bar”, licensed from 10am to 11pm seven days a week.

The application, to be considered by the licensing committee at City of York Council next week, adds: “The aim of Valhalla is to create a cosy, comfortable and relaxed location that reflects York’s proud history and heritage.”

It will run as a cafe with a small menu during the day, before becoming a more traditional bar in the evenings, with a niche selection of draft beers and bottles and higher-end whiskies on offer.

Patrick Pool falls within the Cumulative Impact Zone - a city centre area where stricter alcohol licensing rules have been imposed to try and stop new bars and pubs adding to the problems already caused by drink-fuelled disorder.

Documents show one objection has already been made to the licensing application, which says the new venture is “a new pub, right in the very heart of the Cumulative Impact Zone.”

The objections goes on to warn that the area already needs extra controls because of a concentration of drink-led premises.

“The whole point of a cumulative impact zone is to draw the line when the cumulative effect has reached breaking point, and this is where we are in central York. It’s time to say that enough is enough and refuse this application.”

However, the papers show North Yorkshire Police staff have been in touch with the applicants and have agreed a number of conditions - like CCTV and training for staff - to the alcohol licence being granted.

They are also asking for enough tables and chairs to get rid of the need for “vertical drinking”, which is said to encourage binge drinking; and for food to be available in the new bar all day, until two hours before closing.

Across the city on New Street, another developer is awaiting planning permission for a shop to bar conversion in the former BHS building, but police have objected there on crime and safety grounds.