ONE of York's most iconic buildings has hit the market after developers started work to transform some of the buildings surrounding it.

Househunters browsing Rightmove in the south of York could get a surprise as the famous Terry's clock tower has appeared on the online sales site.

Developers Henry Boot have put the grade II listed clock tower on the market - alongside the neighbouring liquor store which is being sold separately.

Together the two buildings boast a floor space of more than 11,000, but there is no indication of how much a buyer would have to pay up with the asking price only listed as "price on application".

Sales pitches for the two historic buildings promise "a unique opportunity for retail, restaurant/cafe, bar, hotel, leisure and community uses" which lie in the heart of the Chocolate Works redevelopment scheme.

Henry Boot bought the 1920-built chocolate factory from the previous owners GHT Developments LLP (Grantside).

While housebuilders David Wilson Homes are working on a major new homes development on the land around the buildings, Henry Boot have got planning permission for and started work on converting the large factory building into 170 apartments.

Care home group Springfield have also got planning permission to convert the former chocolate factory HQ into a care village.

Heritage expert Alison Sinclair chaired a community meeting earlier this year when local residents were given a chance to talk about their ideas for the future of the clock tower.

She said: "I don't use the word iconic lightly, but the clock tower is an icon."

She said the meeting saw people speak up for public access to the historic buildings, and suggest uses like a view point and a viewing gallery at the top of the tower, an art centre, exhibition space or museum, a chocolate or horse-racing museum, a chocolate restaurant, and even SCUBA diving facilities in the old water tank.

Sophie Jewett of York Cocoa House last year unveiled ambitions to bring chocolate making back to the Terry's liquor store. She said they have been working on their chocolate making skills since so they are able to go ahead with their plans and boost York's chocolate identity.