IT has been a long time in coming. But York’s magnificent Mansion House is finally coming back to life. The great house, home to York’s Lord Mayors, has been closed since summer 2015 for a major, £2.6 million restoration project.

It’s a project that has not been without its problems. The original contractor, William Anelay, went into administration. And experts also discovered major problems with the state room ceiling.

But the job of moving the house’s collection of antique furniture, silver and paintings back in has now begun. George Hudson (or his painting, at least) is once more in the building.

We can’t wait for the official re-opening.