CONTAINERS have been hoisted into place at the site of a controversial street food complex and business start-up centre.

Cranes were at the former Reynards Garage site yesterday lifting the shipping containers into place that will form Spark:York.

They will be given a new lease of life and be fitted out with a range of different food stalls and offices to give small businesses a chance of finding work space in the city centre.

The plans have attracted criticism as well as support, with some saying the shipping container building would be unsightly in a historic area, and others pointing to a high proportion of Spark: York’s floorspace being earmarked for food and drink outlets rather than business space.

However, the development was backed by 500 people and City of York Council’s Planning Committee.

Planners said the development would be temporary and any harm caused to the area would be outweighed by the public benefit in bringing vibrancy, and valuable community and business facilities, into an accessible area.

The development is the brainchild of Sam Leach, one of three Spark:York directors along with co-founders Joe Gardham and Tom McKenzie.

Only two councillors failed to back the development, but those in support said the site could be the catalyst to transform Piccadilly and bring it into line with the nearby Fossgate and Walmgate, which in recent years have become favourites with new and independent businesses.

Speaking at the time, Cllr Janet Looker said: “This is very, very positive.

“It’s interesting to see what’s happened with small, independent, mostly food and drink outlets in Walmgate, which 10 years ago was looking very sorry for itself.”

Cllr Peter Dew added: “My wife and I visited Christchurch in New Zealand a couple of years ago and they have something like this."

He added: “It looked very good and did not look scruffy, which I know is one of the complaints we have had about this.”