Restaurant and Aparthotel plans recommended for approval in York

Plans to bring an iconic restaurant brand to York and create a new aparthotel look set to get the go-ahead next week (6 July 2023).

Property development company North Star announced last year (May 2022) that it had secured the rights to bring the Hard Rock Café brand to Yorkshire.

It subsequently submitted full planning and listed building applications to City of York Council in February to redevelop a unit on Coney Street, most recently occupied by TK Maxx.

Planning permission is sought for the conversion of the existing unit for the Hard Rock Café and Rock Shop on the ground floor. The upper floors would become a 64-bedroom aparthotel, operated by Room2.

An additional storey would be added to the building to provide penthouse suites.

The building's Market Street façade would be replaced with a "vastly improved architectural intervention". Minimal changes would be made to the listed Coney Street façade.

It has been estimated that the proposed develop could create 110 jobs, with 100 in the Hard Rock Café and ten in the aparthotel. More roles would also be created during peak seasons.

The applications will be considered by the council's Planning Committee A on 6 July, with an officer's report prepared for the meeting recommending that approval is granted. Subject to conditions.

The report said: "The general principle of the new uses can be supported and will preserve and enhance an important section of the Primary Shopping Area in York city centre. A mixed use will deliver and enhance the daytime and night-time economy, whilst providing tourist accommodation in a highly accessible location."

Following discussions with officers, amendments were made to the design of the shopfront and roof extension.

The report added: "Taking into account the amendments made, the proposal would aid in creating a viable use for the heritage asset whilst sustaining and enhancing the significance of the Listed Building and would preserve the character and appearance of the Central Historic Core Conservation Area."