HERE is a sneak-peek at the new 104-bedroom Romada Encore Hotel which will arise next year at a cost of up to £6 million on the site of the long-vacant Co-op store at Victoria House in Micklegate, York. It could generate up to 60 jobs.

Plans for the four storey three-star premises which will include a 10,000 sq ft restaurant or shop area were mooted by Stannifer Hotels Ltd shortly after it acquired the crumbling former department store in Christmas 1999.

But they were rejected by City of York councillors who believed that the design did not fit in with buildings in the street, particularly the neighbouring Grade II listed church of St John - formerly York Arts Centre. But this is the amended plan which finally got the go-ahead this month and the frame of the Co-op building will be maintained.

Work will begin soon after an application to license the planned restaurant on March 15.

Builder-developer Houltons of Hull aims to complete in time for a February 2002 opening. This will be the first UK operation run by Romada Encore.

Miles Lawrence, a partner for agents Lawrence Hannah and Skelton, of Blossom Street which advised Stannifer Hotels has already begun marketing the restaurant.

This is the second new build York hotel with which he has been involved latel., having acted for Landmark Developments in buying the Piccadilly site from Tyke Petroleum where the newly-opened 90 bedroom Travelodge with 6,500 sq ft restaurant now stands.

He said: "Acting for Landmark Development Projects Ltd we sold the investment to Scottish Life. And jointly with surveyors Colliers CRE of Leeds we are in talks with two organisations which have expressed an interest in renting the restaurant.