A York indie bar has lodged plans for works to improve the safety and accessibility of its city centre building.
Plans lodged with York Council would see alterations made to The Stone Roses Bar to improve fire safety and ensure evacuation routes in the King Street building meet current standards.
The application from the venue’s owners stated alterations which also include widening its entrance would reinforce its role as a welcoming place for groups including students, residents and visitors.
Proposed works include widening the building’s main King Street entrance and fitting new doors.
“The proposed development will look to widen the existing main entrance door from King Street, which is of historic proportions, but its width does not fully meet modern standards for safe and efficient evacuation,” planning documents state.
“This wider door opening enhances the building’s compliance with modern fire safety standards, reducing risk to customers and staff.”
Steps on the outside of the building up to the entrance would be extended and clad in red quarry tiles to enhance its historic appearance.
Alterations are also planned to the inside lobby area including removing existing side screens and replacing doors to improve escape routes.
Other works proposed as part of the refurbishment include widening part of a corridor and creating a new accessible toilet compartment.
Planning documents state these are “necessary sympathetic alterations, intended to prioritise and improve fire safety by providing safe evacuation routes that meet current standards, as well as improved accessibility for customers.
“The alterations are being carried out in such a way that will help to minimise the disturbance to the historic character of the building while delivering clear public benefits, and ensures the building continues to function as a viable public venue.”
The venue previously traded as The Grapes Inn and it was rebranded as The Stone Roses Bar in 2018.
The building dates back to the mid-19th Century and it was first recorded in 1861.
