Popeyes- plans for fast food chain to move into York shop

Applications from Popeyes, would see five signs with the takeaway’s branding on the Cello by Collectibles gift shop, in Church Street and Swinegate.

Ventilation systems would also be installed as part of the proposal to convert the empty shop into a fast food restaurant.

Plans stated the new food and drinks outlet would contribute to the vitality of the city centre, create jobs and bring an empty building back into use.

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The application from the fried chicken restaurant, which was founded in Louisiana in 1972, follows the closure of Cello in February.

Group area manager Lynn Dickinson told The Press their landlord had applied to change the use of the premises to a restaurant.

They added they had looked for an alternative site in York but finding one had proved difficult due to time constraints.

The company has nine other stores, mainly in the North East.

Plans for Popeyes also cover the empty William Hill in Swinegate and the redevelopment would turn both into one unit.

The Cello By Collectibles store closed in February (Image: Mike Laycock)

The restaurant would operate from 6am to 12pm daily.

Plans stated the proposed extraction plant for ventilation would be screened from public view on the roof of the building.

It added the signs would not harm views within York city centre’s historic Conservation Area, despite the building being in a prominent location.

Popeyes’ application stated: “The proposed plant will facilitate the re-occupation of the site, which will benefit the visual appearance and vitality of York city centre, providing a new food and drink use, which adds positively to the mixture of uses found in the local area.

“Furthermore, the proposals will generate additional local job opportunities at this site, which is due to be empty following the departure of the current tenants.”