YORK’S booming restaurant scene is set for further growth as plans are submitted for five new eateries in the city.

Three completely new restaurants are planned in the city centre, including one on the site of the Budgen’s supermarket, which could close.

A fourth restaurant, a Bella Italia, is planned at Clifton Moor, and the fifth will be a new occupant at the former J Baker’s site in Fossgate, which will become a South Indian restaurant called Viva Goa.

Planning applications have been submitted to City of York Council for the Budgen’s site, on the corner of George Hudson Street and Micklegate, and also for part of the former Argos site behind Piccolino in Bridge Street.

At the Budgen’s site! Walker Nicholas Architects, the agents for applicants British Overseas Bank Nominees and WGTC Nominees Ltd, said there was “considerable interest” from restaurant chains, and the location and size could draw “a major operator” to York.

They said many major names represented at Meadowhall’s food court, for example, could not find units of sufficient size in York.

In a statement, they said: “Many of these operators have an all-day trading format, creating a significant employment opportunity for the city. The size and current rent will ensure the property will form the magnet the city needs to bring some of the unsatisfied restaurant requirements to its streets. This is not an opportunity for a new-start business.”

The applicants need permission to change the use of the building, after which a prospective occupier will be identified. Meadowhall-based restaurants without a presence in York include Carluccio’s and Las Iguanas.

A Budgens spokeswoman said: “Due to a number of reasons, we are considering our options. However, no decisions have been made on the long-term future of the store.”

The application at the Argos site is similar to one approved in 2009, but the original permission expired before being implemented.

The plans, which seek to ultimatley to convert the former shop into two separate restaurants, have been submitted by Individual Restaurants, which owns the neighbouring Piccolino.

The chain also owns the Bank, Zinc, and The Restaurant Bar & Grill brands.

Meanwhile Bella Italia, which has a restaurant in Low Petergate, wants to open a second eatery on a new site at Clifton Moor. USS, the owner of the park, wants to build a new £800,000 restaurant near the Flying Legends pub, creating about 30 jobs in the process.

Posters in the Fossgate site say Viva Goa will open soon, providing South Indian and continental cuisine.

Jeff Baker’s acclaimed restaurant in Fossgate closed earlier this year. He said financial struggles, staffing problems and competition from York's expanding restaurant scene had forced the closure.