THE owners of an antiques shop in the heart of York are preparing to make a move as plans to revitalise part of a historic street gather pace.

Developers won permission earlier this year to transform The French House Antiques store, in Micklegate, into 12 serviced apartments which are designed to be rented by house-hunters and visiting workers.

The business, which will make way for the flats, has now closed, with its owners clearing the remainder of its stock over the next few days.

They will reopen a large store at a new home in The Warehouse, North Lane, Huntington, on December 4. Stephen Hazel, owner of the business, which has been trading in York for 18 years, said: “We are moving because it gives us a better combination of showrooms, workshops and storage and it will allow our restorers to be all based on site. We will be open next week and although it will be a bit untidy at first visitors will be able to see a treasure trove full of more than a 1,000 items.”

Under the planning scheme, the flats will be made available on a short or medium-term basis with cleaning services, heating costs and bed linen all being provided. Members of City of York Council’s west and city centre area planning sub-committee having hailed the idea as “imaginative” when they granted approval in August.

Councillors unanimously voted in favour of the proposal, with members describing the move as a step towards reviving a “tired” area around Barker Lane.

The site has previously been split between office use and as a base for The French House’s storerooms and workshops, with the blueprint for the development also including space for another retail unit and a reception area for the new apartments once the business switches to Huntington.

Local councillor Julie Gunnell said: “I am sad to see the shop go, but I think the new apartments will breathe new life into the area.”