A POPULAR cafe has submitted plans to expand into Micklegate and take over a cycling-themed eatery.

Owners of the Fossgate Social, which opened in the street of the same name in April 2014, hope to double the number of their premises by opening a coffee shop, bar, restaurant and micro-brewery at the top of one of York’s landmark streets.

Plans handed into City of York Council by Fossgate Social boss Sarah Lakin show the expansion would move into 148 -150 Micklegate and make use of all the venue’s space, including the sizeable basement.

The Design and Access statement read: “The Micklegate property is a good fit for a second venue along the same relaxed style, with an extension of trading hours required in line with those at the Fossgate Social.

“The basement would be a great resource for events and performances. Located below ground level it enjoys natural sound-proofing. Because of the second exit onto Bar Lane at the top of the stairs the basement could have an extended closing time. Alcohol will cease to be served at midnight and the bar on the ground floor will be closed to the public by half past midnight, while the basement could be cleared later by 1.30am.”

The new business would serve tea and coffee from 8am, followed by breakfasts and brunches, hot toasties, soups and cakes, hot and cold tapas and platters throughout the day until two hours before it closes.

Beer and other alcohol will be served from 11am.

The business already has its own beer brewed at the Jolly Sailor, in Selby, under the guise of the Ice Cream Factory Brewery, but it is hoped the brewing side of the company will be moved to York if the plans are given the green light.

The statement adds: “The proposal is to also carry out small scale brews and/or spirit distillation at 148 Micklegate.

“Brews would take place once a week with a mini-brew kit and/or spirits still placed in the window to advertise the on-site production, signalling the establishment's character as an artisan producer of small-batch quality alcohol products and give the place a unique selling point.

“No.148 shop will also remain very much as is with only cosmetic amendments plus the distillery/brewer kit. The shop will sell (sealed) beer and spirits, and will also function as a brewery/distillery gift shop (T-shirts/guides/books etc) and the reception or brewery/distillery tours and training sessions.”

It is not known whether bosses of Your Bike Shed plan to move to other premises in the city or move out of York.

The venue was opened in November 2013 by Adele Procter and Martin Harman, and as well as serving food and coffees, it also has a bike repair shop next door and has regularly hosted a variety of events.