A hospitality venue called the Jaipur Tea Rooms has been proposed around the site where Guy Fawkes is said to have been born.

A planning application has been made to change the use of the former Cath Kidston clothing, homeware and gifts store into a bar/ tea room.

The building at 32 Stonegate was built in the 19th Century, is Grade II listed, and features a blue plaque to honour one of York’s most famous characters.

Cath Kidston closed all its 60 outlets in April 2020 during the first lockdown after failing to find a buyer for the chain. The York premises have remained empty ever since.

The planning and listed building consent applications to City of York Council says some 7 full-time and 14 jobs would be created by the new venture.

The historic fabric of the building would remain intact, though there would be interior changes, if plans are approved. Using the “very best of quality materials” is proposed.

Planning agents Collective Design said they were unable to comment at present on the project from their mystery client but they would later during the the application process.