A York building with a long and varied history could be about to enter a new chapter.
Number 71 Low Petergate, which dates back to the early 1600s, was once home to the city’s famous printer Thomas Gent.
In more recent years it’s been the HQ of a number of businesses, some of them sadly short lived.
It’s been empty for nearly three years – but plans are in hand for it to reopen as a Japanese restaurant.
Birmingham-based company Hatsu One Ltd and its director Yu Wang have applied for an alcohol licence at number 71.
According to the application, Hatsu will occupy the ground and first floors of the building.
It will “function as a licensed restaurant, offering a range of alcoholic products to complement to Japanese inspired cuisine available on site”.
Benjamin Whitfield will be the named premises supervisor.
The restaurant plans to open daily from midday to 11pm and wants to have its licence by 13 August.
Long line of cafés
Number 71 Low Petergate is a Grade II listed building.
Going back to the start of the century it was home to continental shop and café Delifrance.
That became Mister Deli, and then Georgina’s Café .
When Georgina’s closed, Star Inn The City chef Andrew Pern took it over and created Mr P’s Curious Tavern, which opened in June 2016
It fell victim to Covid, never reopening after the lockdowns.
The building was next converted to shop and café The Tea Palace. It shut suddenly in September 2022, with the owner saying he was planning to relocate to Saudi Arabia due to increased running costs in York.
It’s been empty ever since. And now it could soon reopen as Japanese eaterie Hatsu.