PLANS to bulldoze a prominent York building used as a supermarket for over 35 years look set to get the go-ahead.

Somerfield, owners of Kwik Save, and property developers Caddick, want to replace the Kwik Save store in Hull Road with a new building, and create a block of 21 apartments on the shop's currently disused overflow car park.

In November last year, a joint planning application was lodged with City of York Council planners, which has now been recommended for approval by officers.

Speaking to the Evening Press in November Jamie Sitzia, PR officer for Somerfield and Kwik Save, said: "Until planning approval has been passed we will not discuss any details on proposed building plans or closure time.

"If the redevelopment does go ahead, then staff will transfer over to the new store with as little disruption as possible."

The proposed new store would be 13,000sq ft, smaller than the existing 16,000sq ft building, which dates from about 1908.

There would be an L-shaped, three-storey residential block to the rear of the shop, which is currently used for a car park, which would contain 21 two-bedroom flats.

The building was originally constructed as an engineering works, but was used for many years as a print works was said to have housed prisoners of war during the First World War.

One of the longest-established supermarkets in York, it became the country's first Hillards store when it opened for business in October 1968.

The Yorkshire-based family firm previously traded under the name of Lion Supermarket and Lion Stores.

A feature in the Evening Press about the Hillards store said it had been "probably the ugliest building in York" prior to renovation by the company.

The store changed hands in 1987 as part of Tesco's £200 million buy-out of Hillards, and again a year later, when it was purchased by William Jackson and Son for its Grandways brand.

Kwik Save became the latest owner of the property in 1992, when William Jackson and Son decided to switch their business from supermarkets to convenience stores.

Bristol-based retailer Somerfield bought Kwik Save in 1998 and operates more than 1,250 stores nationwide.

It has refurbished Kwik Save stores in Thirsk and Foxwood last year, as part of a £70 million national investment programme.

The application, recommended for approval, is due to go before a meeting of the council's planning and transport east area sub committee in the Guildhall next Thursday.

Updated: 10:27 Thursday, April 07, 2005