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

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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