A COSMETIC surgery and treatment centre may open in former tax offices in York city centre to meet soaring demand.

Plans have been submitted to City of York Council to convert the ground floor of Hilary House in St Saviour’s Place into a centre providing “non-invasive”, day cosmetic procedures and treatments to residents, city centre workers and visitors.

Agents for applicants St Catherine’s Developments Ltd, of Skelton, said during the last ten years there had been a ten-fold increase in demand for such treatments, despite the recession, and demand was increasing as technologies and products are developed.

“There is an established and increasing demand for such treatments within the York area which is evidenced by the number of businesses that have been formed/expanded to cater for clients’ demand,” said The Planning & Design Partnership, of Stamford Bridge, in a statement to the council.

“Together with the input from a specialist selected partner, the intention with the proposal is to develop a single clinic that will cater for all aspects of non-invasive treatment, including cosmetic dentistry and treatments.”

The statement said treatments would include Botox injections, dermal facial injections, laser hair removal, laser treatments to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage, lip enhancements, warm and hot wax treatments, manicures and pedicures.

Dentistry treatments would include teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and crowns, gum contouring, dentures, white fillings, dental implants and teeth straightening.

The centre would employ 17 staff and be open between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am and 6pm on Saturday and 10am and 4pm on Sundays/Bank Holidays.

The plans comprise 11 consulting rooms, a reception area, waiting room, toilets and a cleaners room.

The documents say that Hilary House comprises a five-storey building with parking, dating from 1960s and formerly the offices of HM Revenue and Customs, with plans for residential development on the other four floors.

There are currently 34 parking spaces, of which 16 are under the building and 18 are uncovered. These 18 are set to be designated for use by the cosmetic treatment centre, with the remaining 16 places for the residential units above.