A NEW steak and beer restaurant could open in York city centre.

The team behind Lucia Restaurants, the brand which runs Lucia on Swinegate, have applied for permission to open a bar and eaterie at the former Trespass shop at 8 St Sampson’s Square.

The new venture - named The Cut and Craft - will focus on locally sourced meat, beers and gins.

The unit will undergo a £750,000 transformation, with an open-plan kitchen installed at the back of the property and a circular wine bar built in the centre of the ground floor. Seating booths will line the walls of the premises.

Osman Doganozu, a spokesman for Lucia Restaurants, said the company is excited to launch their new project.

He added: “We are from York and we have been here for 25 years.

“We employ more than 160 people and we are hoping to reach 200 employees with this steak and beer concept.

“We started out with only three staff and now we will be reaching 200 people. That makes us very proud.”

He said The Cut and Craft will focus on offering “affordable and tasty” dishes sourced from Yorkshire producers.

The signature steak meal will be priced at £10 and the restaurant will have a butcher based in house.

The menu is also set to feature burgers and steak and ale pie, as well as vegetarian options and fish dishes.

Planning permission had previously been granted for a new branch of national chain the Handmade Burger Company to open at the site. But Mr Doganozu said: “We know the market because we are from York and it’s a good opportunity. It will be simple but tasty and it will be an informal place.”

The Cut and Craft is due to open in September if permission is granted.