Yorkshire Trading Company proposes ‘once in a generation’ Whitby development
A ‘loyal’ Yorkshire company has applied to expand its premises in Whitby and to create eight residential apartments.
Yorkshire Trading Company Ltd could extend its town centre shop in Whitby into a vacant neighbouring building while also adding residential flats and creating dozens of jobs.
The business occupies an existing shop in the old Post Office at 22 Baxtergate and could extend its ground-floor retail operation into 21 Baxtergate, which was previously occupied by Barclays Bank.
”It is the intention that Yorkshire Trading Company (YTC) will open up the ground floor of the old bank and extend it over what is currently a car park, incorporating it into their current shop floor. This will involve demolition of the single-storey section at the rear of 21 Baxtergate,” submitted plans state.
They add: “The upper floors of 21 and 22 Baxtergate are currently disused, and this proposal includes the conversion of these to apartments. Further apartments are proposed over the new extension at the New Quay Road end of the site, with a further apartment formed by conversion above the existing part of the shop fronting New Quay Road.”
YTC has traded in Whitby “for some 30 years”, the business said, and throughout that time it has “sought to secure an opportunity to improve the size and nature of its operation in order to provide a better offering to the residents and visitors”.
“The development will, of course, be adding to local employment and will create 10 to 15 new jobs for Whitby as well as support staff such as delivery drivers, retail area managers, warehouse team, admin support and overall there will be 35 jobs dependent on this development,” the proposal states.
According to the applicant, the physical dimensions and structure of the current store present many operational difficulties and the proposed scheme is a “once in a generation opportunity”.
“This development will provide a complete, ground-floor, shopping experience, allowing unimpeded access for the enjoyment of everyone in Whitby, residents and visitors alike.”
The business added: “Yorkshire Trading Company (YTC) is a secure, long-established retailer that has shown loyal and unwavering support for local town high streets for many years.”
North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the proposals.