Evans submits planning application for new Leeds city centre bar/restaurant

Leeds City Council has received a planning application from Evans Property Group to continue its £20m transformation of the Bond Court area in the city centre, through the creation of bar/restaurant accommodation with a new street terrace underneath the prestigious Minerva office building.

The planning application features the former Gourmet Burger King (GBK) unit which Evans proposes to enhance and launch to the market as a bar/restaurant opportunity.

The application follows on from the recent planning approval for the adjacent former RBS unit for a change of use to a bar/restaurant and the creation of an external terrace.

As part of Evans’ multi-million pound investment into the Bond Court area of Leeds, which has already seen the refurbishment and launch of the Minerva and Capitol office buildings, work is well underway creating a new 90 bedroom Dakota deluxe hotel.

The hotel works will incorporate a new walkway alongside the former RBS unit between Bond Court and Greek Street.

The recent consent enables a change of use to a bar/restaurant for the former RBS unit and allows Evans to maximise the appeal of the new walkway through the introduction of outside terraces and street level seating areas surrounding the unit.

Approval of the new application will ensure that both units are fully upgraded and modernised to reflect the new-look Bond Court destination.

Tony Plowman, director at Kilmartin Plowman and Partners who designed the scheme, said: “Evans has a clear vision for how the whole area will look and has worked closely with Leeds City Council throughout the process to ensure that the whole project seamlessly blends together. The works to both retail units will create a real sense of unity between East Parade, Bond Court and Greek Street. By opening up the outside space, we can further enhance the significant public realm works that form part of the new hotel scheme.”

Evans has appointed specialist retail agency, Pudney Shuttleworth, to market both units.

Alan Syers, portfolio director at Evans Property Group, added: “We have had such an exciting year at Bond Court with the completion of both Minerva and Capitol office buildings, the new occupiers we have signed-up and the work underway preparing for the new hotel. Both the GBK and RBS units are a key part of the bigger picture and we are delighted to be moving forwards with our plans.”