A POPULAR city centre restaurant which has been shut since it was badly damaged during the 2015 floods could finally re-open later this year.

Repairs have been taking place to the Blue Bicycle in Fossgate, with workmen using a pontoon on the River Foss outside the restaurant to carry out renovation work.

It is the largest city centre business or attraction still to recover from the floods.

The basement and low level rooms of the building were damaged on December 27 2015 when the River Foss burst its banks.

The owners did not wish to comment on the ongoing repair work but a statement on the Blue Bicycle website said they do not expect the restaurant to re-open until late 2018, although no date has yet been set.

The statement said: “Regrettably, we will be unable to open for business until the restoration and refurbishment works are completed.

“We are working tirelessly behind the scenes to re-open as soon as possible but due to both the extent of the damage and the number of our properties affected, the work is taking some time to complete.

“Unfortunately some structural damage to our building caused by the flood water has prevented us from moving forward with restoration works in this particular area, due to the complexity of the issues involved and the proximity of our building to the River Foss.

“York residents and visitors to the city may well have noticed that repairs to our building are now visible externally from Fossgate and Foss Bridge.”

They thanked customers for their patience and added that they are looking forward to welcoming visitors back to the restaurant when it finally re-opens.