ONE of York’s artistic hubs is aiming to expand as it looks to provide a chance for the city’s acting talent to flourish.

Plans have been drawn up for more of York Theatre Royal’s operation to be housed within the De Grey Rooms, next to the venue in St Leonard’s Place, after tourism body Visit York made a switch to new premises.

If approved by City of York Council planners, the scheme would see youth theatre workshops being staged on the ground floor of the historic building and in its ballrooms, while a costume-making section together with facilities for hiring and storing outfits would also be included.

The theatre has used parts of the Grade II-listed building, which is owned by the York Conservation Trust, as a tenant and staged some of its workshops there over recent years. But its application says: “The current proposals are for internal alterations to accommodate the Theatre Royal as sole tenant and to make the ground and first floors of the building more accessible to disabled persons.

“The principal roles on the ground floor and the ballrooms will be mainly used for youth theatre workshops. A mezzanine floor will be constructed in the oak room which will become a costume-making workshop over a costume store and hire department.

“The proposed use will mean members of the York general public and visitors to the city will have access to this part of the building for the first time in many years.”

The design would also involve removing a suspended ceiling in the ballroom, which is a more modern addition to the early Victorian De Grey Rooms, to reveal the original glazed lantern display, as well as renovating staircases and cleaning and refurbishing chandeliers.

The trust also says the plans it has submitted, if given the go-ahead, would allow disabled access to the ground floor of the building for the first time by installing a wheelchair lift and a stair-climber device.

A decision on the scheme is expected to be made next month.