York City Council News

04 May 2020

PHOTO STORY: Progress on York's historic Guildhall continues safely under new restrictions

PHOTO STORY: Progress on York's historic Guildhall continues safely under new restrictions: IMG-20200417-WA0000

Restoration and redevelopment works on York's historic Guildhall have continued safely and effectively since social distancing restrictions were put in place last month by the Government.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said:

“The Covid-19 crisis poses new challenges to all local authorities, with City of York Council having to adapt quickly to protect residents and deliver vital services.  Our immediate effort to get vital help to the city’s most vulnerable and support our local communities and businesses has been swift and effective.

“At the same time, we are putting in place the foundation of our recovery. With the help of partners across York and the wider region, we are working to make sure that our city can bounce back from the crisis.

“It is essential for York’s recovery that we continue to work together to deliver key regeneration projects like the Guildhall and York Central. These projects are central to our ambitions for inclusive growth, new public spaces and better housing, which are now more important than ever.”

 

Cllr Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Finance and Performance, City of York Council said;

“I'm delighted with the progress we're seeing take place at the Guildhall, demonstrating what good partnership and site management can accomplish. The project has managed to progress whilst implementing government social distancing restrictions , and the team has achieved 90% of all scheduled work on site in the last month.

“This project is historically important for the city and one which will have a lasting impact on our city centre economy. The new office spaces will allow the next generation of York businesses to start-up and grow, creating new jobs in the city. The innovative vision for the site works both to protect and restore our heritage, and open up new opportunities for our city's future.

"Despite the extraordinary events of floods and pandemics - I'm pleased that work continues to go ahead, placing in one of the city's most famous buildings, back at the heart of York's economic, social and civic life.”

Over the past month, the site has seen significant progress on the demolition of the old North Range and the removal of debris from the site, using barges to Queens Staith. All demolition works on site are soon to be completed and reconstruction of the new North Range will shortly follow, which includes the supporting infrastructure for the North range tower.

Guildhall Image

The Guildhall restoration began in September 2019, initiating vital restoration and redevelopment of the Grade I, II* and II listed buildings, to offer office space, community use and a riverside restaurant.

Key benefits of the development include:

  • Bringing the Guildhall’s historic business role into the 21st century– creating quality office spaces with the potential to create an estimated 250 jobs in high value sectors.
  • Give the public improved access to the nationally significant heritage – through community use, events and civic meetings.
  • Maximising the economic impact of the Guildhall – creating £848k per annum income following completion and an estimated £117m GVA boost to the city’s economy over the next five years. In addition, the construction phase would contribute 50 additional jobs and £7m GVA in total.
  • Using 21st century green technology - heating the building efficiently, reducing costs and the environmental impact of the development.

The project received £2.347 million from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP), delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal - a £1 billion package of government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.

The site is due to reopen to the public in Spring 2021.

Find out more about the project at www.york.gov.uk/GuildhallProject

Contact Information

City of York Council Newsdesk
City of York Council
newsdesk@york.gov.uk