Location of new star-studded Christmas film made in York could be transformed

The Colliergate building, which featured in Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint, could be turned into a shop and bar if an application lodged with York Council is approved.

Building owners York Conservation Trust’s plans stated a well-known local retailer had shown interest in moving into the ground floor and the first floor would be turned into a bar.

The trust added the conversion would see the Grade II-listed building, which dates from the 16th Century, repaired and brought back into use which would provide substantial public benefits.

It comes as Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint was released in UK cinemas on Friday, November 6 and screened at York’s City Screen cinema on Monday, November 9.

Plans for the building, which was transformed into the Miniature World of Wonders for the film, include creating a new porch which the ground floor shop would be accessed through.

A new till area would be created by a partition and the building’s existing 1950s staircase would be replaced with a u-shaped one.

Level access would be created on the ground floor along with a new toilet and facilities for staff.

There are also plans for a new beer garden outside.

The bar proposed for the building would be spread across two rooms on the building’s first floor.

Repairs would be done to address decay in various parts of the building caused by the addition of inappropriate modern materials and neglect over the years.

A failed tanking system has also led to water ingress which has seeped into some of the walls.

The application stated the works would allow the public to see the inside of the timber-framed building.

They added it would likely be the first example of a medieval building in York being made fully accessible thanks to the addition of a lift connecting the ground and first floors.

Plans stated: “The proposals are necessary to support the intended use of the building and the wider scheme of conservation repair to the structure.

“They would lead to substantial public benefits, by returning this Grade II-listed building to a viable new use consistent with its historic retail use, repairing the historic fabric and providing first-floor public and step-free access for the first time.

“The proposals would preserve and, in some areas, enhance and reveal the significance of the listed building.”

Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint follows the reclusive and disenchanted titular character (John Bradley) who is roped into helping out with a production of The Christmas Carol to save a retirement home.

No 5 Colliergate was used as the set for Miniature World of Wonders, a shop run by Mr Hopkins (Richard E Grant) visited by the main character.

The film also features Sophia Di Martino, Jim Broadbent and Karl Pilkington and was shot at several locations across York.