Major ceiling repairs needed at Assembly Rooms, sparking row over Lord Mayor's luncheon

The 18th century neo-classical building in Blake Street, where Ask Italian restaurant is based, will have to close for three months in July for a restoration which could cost up to a quarter of a million pounds.

Plywood has been screwed into place across the entire ceiling to hold it safely in place until then, with regular laser scans carried out to ensure there is no movement.

Meanwhile, the luncheon to be served to councillors and aldermen after York's Mayor Making ceremony at the Guildhall next month is switching from Ask to Star Inn the City.

The move has been condemned by Independent councillor Mark Warters as 'wholly inappropriate.' He claimed: "It sends out all the wrong signals from the council in times of cutbacks to services and continuing job losses.

"Surely the most efficient and cost effective way to feed and water them all (councillors and aldermen) would be to provide a buffet on tables in the Guildhall."

Former council leader and Lord Mayor Steve Galloway has also questioned the switch, saying in a blog: "The “Star Inn the City” is one of York’s top – and most expensive – restaurants. There are bound to be eyes raised at this choice of venue for what is a taxpayer funded event."

But Labour group leader, Janet Looker, said the lunch bill would be comparable with previous years and every effort had been made to ensure the lowest possible cost. 

She added it was ‘very disappointing’ to see Liberal Democrats seeking to politicise the apolitical office of Lord Mayor during an election period.

Tory council leader David Carr said the Mayor Making ceremony was an important part of civic life in York, the civic team has worked hard to arrange a new location and an excellent deal had been negotiated with the Star Inn.

Council officials have also defended the switch, which will result in councillors and aldermen being unable to bring guests with them to the meal.

Dawn Steel, head of civic & democratic services, told Cllr Warters that the Star Inn, which was the preferred venue, would cost more or less the same as the costs for last year when the Assembly Rooms were used, including food and drink.

"Though we don't know the full costs yet of all the extras required for the occasion irrespective of venue, I'm confident that these costs will be only a marginal increase on last year's costs.

"The quote provided by the preferred venue this year is certainly the cheapest by far of the suitable available options.

"Officers are always cost conscious and appropriately restrained by the available budget to support this occasion. I can assure you costs for the current venue are well within budget and are being managed very carefully so as to not to place any additional pressure on the budget already allocated. Indeed a budget which has been allocated for supporting this civic occasion for many years now."

A council spokesman told The Press: “Regrettably, the Assembly Rooms are no longer available so we’ve had to find an alternative venue.

“We considered a number of alternatives based on availability, capacity and cost.

“Old Terry’s Ball Room was a much smaller capacity, the Merchant Adventurers Hall and Hospitium are booked and Merchant Taylors Hall would be too expensive. The Star Inn will provide a special menu for the lunch.”

Ask restaurant manager Paul Tennant said steps were taken to secure the ceiling by the building's owner, York Conservation Trust, after a bulge had been noticed in it.

He said the ceiling was being regularly subject to laser scanning and it would shut if any potential risks were identified. "Safety is paramount," he said.

Ian Daniels, property manager with the trust, said plywood had been screwed into the joists until the full restoration could take place in the summer.

*The Assembly Rooms were built to provide accommodation for dancing and other social activities in 1735, and were probably the earliest neo-classical building in Europe.