A MARS a day helps you work, rest and play, went the old confectionery slogan.

It may not be the right company, but there are happy echoes of that slogan today in developers Grantside's plans for York's historic Terry's site.

"We are aiming to bring a live, work and play lifestyle to the development that will ensure a lively and vibrant community both in and out of working hours," said Grantside boss Steve Davis.

That sounds just what the doctor ordered.

When Terry's closed its doors for the last time in October, a city mourned. A fine tradition of chocolate-making stretching back over 200 years had come to an end.

But, despite its wealth of history and heritage, York has never been a city to stand still.

York-based Grantside bought the Terry's site for £26m. And their plans, revealed in more detail in the Press today, include a luxury hotel, a business park containing 220,000 square feet off offices, 500 flats - and even possibly an art gallery and museum, to maintain links with Terry's past.

Between them, the hotel and business park could create more than 2,000 jobs: a huge boost to the city and some compensation for the loss of a factory that at its height employed up to 2,500 people.

The whole imaginative development is just one more proof of what a booming city York is.

We have one of the finest universities in the country: a university that, through its science park, has prompted an explosion in local technology firms. Upmarket shops are falling over themselves to come to York.

And now, from the ashes of one of our most-loved firms, will spring this: a vibrant mix of offices, leisure facilities, flats and a brand new posh hotel.

Tourists may love York for its history. But make no mistake: this is a forward-looking city that is going places.

Updated: 09:32 Monday, May 08, 2006