WHEN the new owners went into 69-71 Micklegate, they found ancient features and astonishing disrepair.

York Conservation Trust had bought it last year and now plan to spend £1m on the restoration.

>> MAIN STORY: Micklegate building with Charles Dickens link set for £1m restoration

While the ground floor had been used by various businesses in recent years, and part of the first floor has been used as customer toilets, the rest of the upper floors have been left empty and neglected.

The building was once the workplace of Richard Chicken, thought to be the inspiration for Mr Micawber in David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. It is now to become shops and flats.

Here's a unique look at the dilapidated rooms that will now be restored. All photos by Frank Dwyer.

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The dilapidated ground floor, formerly a restaurant

 

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Looking up the spectacular stairwell to the lantern cupola

 

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Philip Thake, chief executive of York Conservation Trust, below the cupola

 

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One of the first floor rooms, including a mid-1900s pillar and more recent scaffolding

 

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Not all the decor is ancient - this modern graffiti is on one stairwell...

 

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... but this wallpaper is far older, thought to be up to 200 years old. The Trust has sent a sample off to be dated by experts.

 

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A close-up of some of the wallpaper, on the top floor

 

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Mr Thake on the top floor

 

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Mr Thake examines the top floor front room, which overlooks Micklegate. Planks are currently helping to prop up some of the roof.

 

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The stairwell to the top floor is in severe disrepair

 

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And more than a few of the fittings need updated

 

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Modern panelling on the second floor, overlooking the central stairwell

 

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A fireplace on the top floor, thought to date to the 18th century