Multi-million pound shops arcade planned for station

Ambitious plans have been drawn up for a radical overhaul of the railway station, including a first-floor development and new retail units at either end of an expanded main concourse.

There would be an additional entrance created at the station's south end, closest to Micklegate Bar, through the demolition of the old parcels area and an adjacent staff area. Passengers would enter the station through an arcade of new shops.

New retailers at the other end of the station could include a Marks & Spencer Simply Food outlet, while WH Smith would relocate to a bigger building in a new position. The Travel Centre, passenger lounge and staff accommodation would also be re-located.

A former tea room in Tea Room Square would also be reinstated and refurbished, and free standing glass screens would be provided within the main concourse to protect passengers from the elements.

A Listed Building application has been submitted to City of York Council by the station's former owners, GNER, which lost its franchise to National Express last weekend.

The firm told the council it wanted to make use of vacant or under-used parts of the station to provide better facilities for passengers and staff.

A spokesman said the former GNER had submitted an exploratory application, which included a wide range of possible proposals.

He said there was no reason why such improvements should not be pursued by National Express.

However, details might change, not least to fit in with the company's commitments under its new franchise to carry out separate improvements, such as the provision of a First Class Lounge, better lighting and a better main footbridge.

John Ives, of chartered architects Potts Parry Ives +Young, of The Mount, said the buildings proposed for demolition were ones which had been built in the 1950s after being bomb damaged in the Second World War.

He said the proposals had been discussed with English Heritage and the council's conservation architects.

Civic chiefs welcome new gateway

THE railway station proposals were hailed today by York's tourism and civic leaders.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said she would very much welcome the improvements.

"A quarter of our 4.2 million visitors arrive by train every year and we're working to increase this percentage," she said.

"York Railway station is a magnificent building, and it's good news there are plans ahead to improve this essential gateway for our visitors."

City of York Council leader Steve Galloway said he was pleased that ways of improving facilities for train passengers in and around the York Station were being looked at.

"Clearly there is space in the station that could be better utilised for the benefit of all those who use the concourse," he said.

However, he stressed the station was a Listed Building and any internal alterations would need to be designed in a sympathetic way.

"We look forward to working with National Express as opportunities arise to regenerate the area around the station including the critical "York Central" site," he added.

Labour group leader David Scott said that the station was an important visitor gateway, but the proposed facilities could, if done correctly, provide a great first and lasting impression of the city.

"The additional facilities will also be a boost for residents who use the station," he said.

York MP Hugh Bayley also welcomed the proposals, saying: "The more investment there is at York Station, the more people will use the train, which is good for the environment and good for jobs in York.

"I would support more shops at York Station, as they have at some of the big London stations, such as Liverpool Street station.

However, the work would have to be done sensitively in York because it is a fine, historic building which is itself part of the welcome to York and one of the things that makes the city attractive to visitors."

Keeping up with progress...

YORK Station was designed by Thomas Prosser and opened 130 years ago.

But it was the city's third station - it replaced one which originally stood just inside the City Walls and was constructed in 1841.

The first, which was also outside the walls, had been built in 1839.

The station which stands today took three years to build. It opened on Sunday, June 25, 1877.

The main buildings included first and second-class refreshment rooms and waiting rooms to the north wing, and parcels offices and a general waiting room to the south wing.

Both wings of the main building were originally two storeys.

Changes were introduced over the decades, including the introduction of a tearoom in 1906 and a footbridge to supplement the subways in 1900, adjacent to the signal box and bookstall.

The footbridge was moved to its current location in 1938.

On April 29, 1942, the station suffered severe damage during an air raid, with the parcels area offices and south wing to the concourse being destroyed.

In 1984, the station underwent a major refurbishment, with the creation of a new passenger lounge and alterations to the parcels office to include staff facilities.

Ticket barriers were removed and a signal box refurbished to create WH Smith's. The former tearooms were also converted into a model railway exhibition and museum.

Do you agree with a revamp of the city's railway base?

Annabel Van DerKnaap, of York, said: "I think the revamp is a good idea as it is a main central station and so many people use it.

"A lot of travellers have to stop off in York and the new shops would save them having to go into town."

Andy Husband, of Rawcliffe, York, said: "I think it's a good idea as York Station is not very modern if you compare it with places like Leeds.

"We definitley need a big overhaul. It looks old and needs to be brighter.

"The city will benefit as a modern station would bring even more travellers to York."

Rosie Fenton, of Bootham, York, said: "It is a good idea, but it is perhaps not really needed as the station is so close to town.

"The new shops will be good though if your trains delayed or you're stuck in York.

"It could be a waste of money though.

Christopher St Clair-Whiker, of Osbaldwick, York, said: "The station doesn't have the capacity to handle the amount of tourism it gets at the moment.

"The commodities are limited and a better choice would make me happy, as long as it doesn't expand too much and ruin York's historic beauty."