A York venue opened by the King could be set to host more events under new plans.
Plans submitted to City of York Council would see the Minster Refectory restaurant, in Deangate, allowed to host weddings.
The restaurant’s application stated the move would provide it with a stable and predictable income stream at a time when hospitality businesses face significant pressure.
Change of use plans for the building, originally constructed for St Peter’s School in the 1830s, would not see any physical alterations made.
The Minster School, which was run by the Chapter of York Minster and had origins dating back to 627 AD, went on to be based in the Grade II-listed building until it closed in 2020.
The Minster Refectory was officially opened by King Charles and Queen Camilla in April 2023.
It was converted into a restaurant by GEM Construction and is run by The Star Group, operator of The Star Inn The City in Lendal.
Plans to allow the restaurant to function as a wedding venue stated they would help support the local economy and reinforce York’s status as a premier cultural and visitor destination.
The application stated: “The proposal to allow weddings within the Refectory forms a key part of the tenant’s long term business sustainability strategy, providing a stable and predictable income stream at a time when the hospitality sector continues to face significant structural and economic pressures.”
It follows a bid from the restaurant in July to extend its opening hours.
The venue applied to vary its current licence to open from 9am to 11pm from Monday to Saturday and until 10pm on Sunday.
The Refectory’s website stated the building is now home to a brasserie-style restaurant serving all-day refreshments and modern British dishes made with produce sourced from around Yorkshire.
Its menu includes Roast Breast of Yorkshire Wolds Chicken, Yorkshire Moors Venison, Refectory Seafood Cocktail and Tiramisu Bread & Butter Pudding with ice cream.
The restaurant’s website stated: “Accessible-to-all, York Minster Refectory has a daytime takeaway element and evening dining along with a mixture of smaller function, lounge and private dining options.
“The restaurant lets the seasons write its menus, based on Yorkshire’s brilliant pantry of food and supplied by a full array of White Rose flag producers.
“The approach to the food and cooking is very much old-fashioned British-style favourites with a new take through Anglicised French classics.
“In other words, everything that is good about the food, drink, people and places of York and Yorkshire.”