£20m project will put York's Guildhall 'back at the heart of the city'

The Guildhall in York.The Guildhall in York.
The Guildhall in York. | jpimedia

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Historic civic buildings dating back to the 15th century will be placed at the heart of modern life in York once a multi-million pound restoration is completed, a senior councillor has pledged.

The Guildhall has been a constant in the city’s history since becoming the seat of governance in the 1200s, with the venue hosting royalty and playing a key role in shaping the nation’s history.

A £20m scheme to transform the current buildings, which date back to 1459, was launched in September last year, ending speculation over the future of the historic site after York Council relocated to its new headquarters at West Offices in 2013.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The leader of the council, Coun Keith Aspden, told The Yorkshire Post that the ambitious bid to bring the Guildhall into the 21st century and create a new hub for civic life and new enterprise was key to the city’s future.

Work starting on the Guildhall in YorkWork starting on the Guildhall in York
Work starting on the Guildhall in York | jpimedia

Join our new coronavirus Facebook group for the latest confirmed news and advice as soon as we get it www.facebook.com/groups/yorkshirecoronavirusCoun Aspden said: “This project is historically important and will have a lasting impact on our city.

“It’s a story of amazing engineering work to protect and restore our heritage – even facing extraordinary barriers from floods to pandemics – and will place the Guildhall back at the heart of the city’s economic, social and civic life.

“A new generation of businesses will start-up, grow, create jobs and add to York’s rich history in one of our most famous buildings.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Yorkshire Post reported that York Council is looking at the viability of major schemes, including the sprawling York Central regeneration project around the city’s railway station and the Castle Gateway re- development, which is centred on the district around Clifford’s Tower, and if they will be able to go ahead after the coronavirus lockdown.

However, Coun Aspden revealed that work is still progressing on the Guildhall project after social distancing measures have been introduced for contractors on the riverside site.

He said: “The progress at the Guildhall has been phenomenal, and demonstrates what good partnership and site management can achieve.

“During the Covid-19 crisis, while we are instigating government social distancing criteria, the team has hit a staggering 90 per cent of all planned work on site.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The restoration of the Guildhall is aimed at breathing new life into the complex of Grade I, II* and II listed buildings, creating new offices and up to 250 jobs as well as community facilities and a riverside restaurant.

The multi-million pound project is aimed at maximising the economic impact of the Guildhall, creating an £848,000 annual income.

The construction phase has also created 50 extra jobs.

The re-development will also use cutting-edge environmentally-friendly technology to heat the centuries-old building, reducing its running costs as well as the helping to minimise impact on the environment.

Situated in the heart of York on the banks of the River Ouse, the Guildhall has been the venue for defining moments in the city’s history.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Richard III was entertained in the building in 1483 and the hall was the venue for the trial of Margaret Clitherow, the Catholic saint, who was crushed to death in 1586 for harbouring priests.

The Guildhall was also where a ransom of £200,000 was counted before being given to the Scots in payment for the release of Charles I in 1647 during the English Civil War.

Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, was a guest of honour at a Royal banquet in the Guildhall in October 1850.

-------------------

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor

News you can trust since 1754
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice