Jamie Oliver restaurant for York

The star’s Italian Limited wants to open a branch of its business above the Lendal Cellars pub.

The company has applied to York Council for a licence to operate the restaurant.

The authority is also expected to make a decision on a planning application submitted by Greene King, which runs the pub, for the scheme next month.

A spokeswoman for Greene King said: “This scheme is fantastic news for York, which will bring some much needed regeneration to the building and surrounding area.

“In addition to bringing Jamie’s Italian to the city it gives us the opportunity to invest in our pub, the Lendal Cellars, and to improve facilities such as the toilets and the garden for our customers.”

If permission is secured, the Jamie’s Italian restaurant could open next year, with the plans focusing on first-floor sections of the building which have been unused for several years.

Jamie’s Italian boasts 18 restaurants across the UK, with its only other Yorkshire incursion being made in Leeds. Greene King also hopes the design will retain “important historical features” of the building and will include new entrances and an extension between the pub’s bar area and beer garden.