A NEW restaurant due to replace one of York's oldest and best-known shops is likely to belong to a national restaurant chain.

Macdonalds furniture store has been in Fossgate since 1947, but it will close in late March or at the end of April when owner Martyn Macdonald retires. All orders will be honoured.

It is understood the Cosy Club chain - which describes itself as offering "quirky, eccentric and playful... casual dining, drinking and lounging in a homely and family friendly environment" - may open later this year.

City of York Council last week approved plans for the conversion of the former cinema to a restaurant with four new homes to be built at the back of the property.

Steve Mantle, the operations manager at Cosy Club, said the new restaurant could create up to 50 new jobs, including 30 front of house jobs and 20 kitchen roles. But while aware of the plans, he said he could not confirm whether the lease had been signed.

He said about the chain: "The restaurant is the focus. Words referenced are: quirky, eccentric, vintage", adding it would offer "home cooked food", local ales, cocktails and a substantial wine list.

The building opened in 1911 as York's first purpose-built picture house.

The plans submitted by Fossgate Developments are to convert the premises into a restaurant and to create a single flat on the upper floor area at the back of the property.

 

York Press:

Meanwhile, a timber hut at the side of the former cinema will be demolished to accommodate four new houses.

Martyn Macdonald, the director of Macdonalds furniture store, said the shop was closing following his decision to retire. He said: "The [closing] sale is going really well. What has been lovely is the response of the customers and all the good wishes people have given us. I didn't expect it and it's really nice to know we will be missed."

If Cosy Club moves into Macdonalds, it will be next door to the independent Cosy Time cafe.

Cosy Club has ten branches across the UK, including Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and Leicester.

Mr Mantle said managers and chefs are usually recruited four or five months before opening and other roles the month before.