Plans to breathe new life into an empty York café have taken a step forward.
An application has been lodged for works inside and outside of 68, Gillygate, which was previously home to Osbornes@68.
Plans from Northmanor Properties Ltd stated proposals to move toilets to the building’s ground floor and build a wooden pergola in its garden came amid interest from various potential tenants.
The latest plans come after an application to licence the former café for alcohol sales was lodged in May.
Hera Social (York) Ltd’s plans stated it would see a high quality café and restaurant serving a range of food and alcoholic drinks opened there if that application is approved.
Northmanor Properties Ltd’s plans, lodged with York Council in June, would see existing toilets in the building moved from the first to the ground floor.
A free-standing oak-framed pergola with a polycarbonate roof would also be put up in the rear garden along with a 1.8m-high fence replacing an existing one which has become dilapidated.
The planning application stated historic features of the Grade II-listed building including stained glass windows.
Plans stated: “The scheme would also support the economic viability of the ground floor and enable the return of the currently vacant upper floors to active use.”
It comes after Osbornes@68 closed in August after nine years in Gillygate.
Owners Viv and Simon Osborne said they decided to close ahead of their retirement.
The owners said on Instagram: “It’s been an utter joy to welcome you all through our door’s each day, never knowing what each day would bring (one day it was a massive rabbit in a pushchair.
“We’ve had the pleasure of serving many fantastically loyal customers and made some great friends during our time on Gillygate.
“We however couldn’t have done this without our fantastic staff, so many thanks to you all.
“We will miss the chats, the laughs and of course the dogs, hopefully our paths will cross again, but in the meantime we’ll say goodbye with heartfelt thanks.”
