A York bar fears plans to create flats above a city centre shop will “ruin our business”.
As previously reported in YorkMix, an application has been submitted to create eight apartments in the floors above Oliver Bonas.
The shop, formerly Boots, is in Kings Square.
Building owner, K Square 2 LLP, is behind the plans, which do not affect Oliver Bonas.
Under the plans, there would be five one-bed apartments and three two-bed apartments.
But a neighbouring bar has objected to the proposals.
Charlotte Hudson owns the Hi Ho Club, which is found above the Harlequin café and next to the upper floors of the Oliver Bonas building.
She writes that the bar is “directly next door to this.
“We trade till midnight with live music. This will undoubtedly ruin our business.”
The Hi Ho Club is based on a 1920s New York-style speakeasy. It features live jazz and blues and handcrafted cocktails.
Originally opened on Feasegate, it found a new home on King’s Square.
Another nearby trader, while welcoming the principle of city centre living, has concerns.
Caroline Foster runs Fosters Jewellers on Goodramgate, which is next door to Oliver Bonas.
She writes: “I think making residential apartments in the city centre is needed and I support them but I do have some concerns.
“The application states that these are residential apartments, how can I be sure that they won’t be let as Airbnb / short term lets?
“I have real concerns about security for my business if these had different people in every weekend and obviously the noise concerns too.
“Can the future use of these apartments be written into the application?”
Planning documents state: “The proposal would bring the currently vacant and partially derelict upper floors back into active residential use which is a substantial positive in heritage terms.”
You can read and comment on the planning application here.
