A NEW food hall planned for York could be a “magnet for stags, hens and racegoers”, according to residents.

But the company behind the plans has sought to reassure neighbours that the venue will feature independent food traders and a community space, rather than bars.

Try Market Food Halls is planning to open its first venture outside London in Stonebow House in York and the company has applied for a licence to open from 7am to 11pm Monday to Wednesday, until midnight on Thursdays and until 1am Friday to Sunday.

But St Saviourgate Residents' Association has objected to the plans, with a spokesperson saying the “family friendly food hall is a smokescreen for what could become the largest drinking venue in York and a magnet for stags, hens and race goers".

The spokesperson added: “The elderly residents of Lady Hewley’s Cottages, who live just 50 yards from Stonebow House, want York councillors to put residents first and reject this application.”

One resident said: “York is already struggling to cope with the anti-social behaviour that comes with binge drinking.

“We want to feel safe in our homes and on our street. We already have trouble with drunken groups keeping us awake at night and the street looks a mess the next day, with vomit, discarded take-aways and the stench of urine.

“It’s time for councillors to back the people of York and say enough is enough.”

But a spokesman for Try Market Halls said the site will “absolutely not” be a nightclub or drinking venue.

He added: “We put a lot of time into meeting with local people and addressing their concerns. We are approaching this thoroughly and sensitively.

“It’s still being viewed as a nightclub and drinking venue. It will absolutely not be that. We will have a responsible relationship with the residents.”

He added that there will be security staff on the doors and around the building, and people who are already drunk will not be allowed inside the venue. And he said the application has the support of Make It York and York BID, as well as a number of businesses in the city.

Steps will also be taken to manage noise at the site.

If the licence is granted, work will begin on the food hall in the new year. Nine food outlets with restaurant seating would be opened on the ground floor of the building and the basement would be used for co-working space, tables and chairs and also community space.

The entrance to the ground floor would be from Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, with an entrance to the basement on The Stonebow. A meeting will take place at City of York Council on November 29 at 10am.