ONE of the city centre’s most popular pubs could soon expand into a neighbouring empty shop if new plans are approved.

A planning application submitted to Bradford Council this week calls for a large vacant unit on Piece Hall Yard - a former opticians and travel agents, to be transformed into an extension of the City Vaults pub.

The plans include replacing the modern ground floor frontage of the shop, and would bring new life into the historic street.

Pedestrianised Piece Hall Yard links Kirkgate and Hustlergate, and is backed onto by one of the city’s grandest buildings - the former Natwest bank. It is also home to the famous Bradford Club, part of which takes up the upper floors of the building in question.

Two applications have been submitted to the Council, one, by Ms Riley from Withernsea Investments, to change the use of the empty opticians and create a new shop front and another, by Michael Ryan to make changes to the interior of City Vaults. These would include removing walls to link the pub with the neighbouring unit, removing a spiral staircase and building a new staircase.

Plans show that the empty building’s basement will become a new kitchen area and dining area, with the ground floor level being an expanded dining area for the pub, complete with seating in front of the property.

The application says the plans will improve the building’s ground floor appearance, adding: “The grandeur of the main building above is in contrast to the existing main shop front. It is apparent that earlier development may have removed existing original features to create the current floor space. The proposed new shop front is traditional in manner with fascia sign, panelled columns, iron balustrades and folding doors.

“The primary use of the ground and lower ground floor areas is an extension to the trade area of the City Vaults public house. The proposed works will comprise of new toilet facilities and refurbishment of the lower ground and ground floors into pub/restaurant space incorporating existing architectural features such as the cast iron columns. The works will have a minimal effect on the existing fabric of the building but the works and new use will bring back life into this empty building and create new jobs.”

A decision on the application is expected in the new year.

The application is the latest in a string of developments in the city centre’s pub/bar scene. Last month plans to turn the former Game shop on Darley Street into a pub were approved, and work is underway to open a wine bar in an empty unit on Broadway. An application to turn the former Poundworld on Ivegate into a bar is being considered by the Council and the Old Crown Pub on the same road is due to re-open next month. A former unit on the corner of Westgate and Godwin Street is also being turned into a new bar called The Rabbit Hole.