THE proposed £9.3 million redevelopment of York's historic Guildhall is moving forward as architects are invited to bid for the project.

City of York Council has issued a notice to tender for the work as the authority seeks to transform the 15th century riverside building into a new digital media arts centre.

After agreeing to release £500,000 of investment to fund the project, the council is now looking for a consortium bid from a design team to include a lead architect which will act as principle designer, alongside a structural and civil engineering consultant and a mechanical and electrical services consultant.

Robert Loader Architects completed a feasibility study for the project last year after winning design contest with the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2012.

The winning consortium bid will be tasked with creating a media arts centre with accompanying restaurant, bar, offices and outdoor space, ahead of a planned opening date in 2018.

Leader of City of York Council, Cllr Dafydd Williams, said: "I’m pleased to see plans moving along for the Guildhall.

"This latest step will help to give assurance around the business plan that we need before taking a final decision on the project."

Bids for the tender need to be submitted to the council by April 10.

The development is expected to cost £9.23 million in total. The council says it is being funded from a combination of the authority's Economic Infrastructure Fund, captial funding committed by the council, potential grant funding from Leeds City Region's Regional Growth Fund, and expected commercial income.

Work is expected to start on site as early as 2016 subject to necessary approvals.