Tenant sought for historic house

ONE of North Yorkshire’s oldest houses could be given a new lease of life as a new home for a business, a community centre or a gallery.

Thousands of pounds has been lavished on restoring the 14th century York House, the former Manor House at Malton, which has been standing empty for a long period.

But so far an extensive search for a new tenant by local land owners the Fitzwilliam Estate has drawn a blank, according to agent Roddy Bushell.

He said: “We are committed to bringing York House back into use. We are seeking new users continually, and the search is on-going for organisations or skilled individuals to help find a vibrant new use for what is regarded as one of Malton’s most historic buildings.”

Over the centuries the property has been used as a summer residence and company headquarters, as well as a manor house.

It has some seven rooms which the estate said could become offices or a gallery, as well as a large hall overlooking the River Derwent.

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings is calling for the historic building to become “an iconic community asset” for social or artistic use