Bonding Warehouse set to be brought back into use, 12 years after closing (From York Press)
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Bonding Warehouse set to be brought back into use, 12 years after closing
7:12pm Wednesday 2nd May 2012 in News
By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter
The Bonding Warehouse in York
YORK’S historic Bonding Warehouse has been bought by a developer and looks set to be transformed into a digital media and cultural centre with a public exhibition space.
The landmark riverside building near Skeldergate Bridge, which has lain empty and boarded up since being severely flooded in November 2000, has been bought by York developers Grantside for an undisclosed sum.
Managing director Steve Davis says a key option is for the building to be developed as a digital media and cultural centre, although existing planning permission is in place for other fallback schemes.
The Warehouse proposals would enable growing digital businesses to rent out accommodation as well as providing space for exhibitions and a cafe. The plans are being developed by a consortium of private sector, social enterprise and public sector organisations.
Steve Dann, principal economy officer at City of York Council, said an outline business plan had been prepared and funding was being sought from the Government-backed ‘Growing Places Fund,’ administered by the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Tim Frenneaux, enterprise partnership manager for the LEP, said it was currently considering a bid from the consortium for funding towards the cost of the project, which would be in the form of a loan, and the matter would go before a board meeting on Thursday.
Ben Clowes, a director of Bar Lane Studios, who is involved in the consortium, said the proposals were being pursued to promote the expansion of creative media in York and create a new public exhibition space, and discussions with a developer were under way.
Council leader James Alexander described the proposals as ‘really exciting opportunity for York,’ adding that he had been in negotiations with the LEP to secure funding. “So far these negotiations are positive,” he said.
The Press reported in January that a feasibility study had been commissioned to look into demand for a new “media arts facility” in the city, as well as to look at options for potential venues which included the Bonding Warehouse.
The warehouse was built in 1875 and operated as a pub, restaurant and music venue until 2000.
Grantside had recently been involved in the planned redevelopment of the Terry’s site, but recently placed it on the market.
Comments(29)
england19chris
says...
8:19pm Wed 2 May 12
/kev/null
says...
8:24pm Wed 2 May 12
notmyrealname
says...
9:18pm Wed 2 May 12
Good luck to all involved
Whistlejacket
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9:44pm Wed 2 May 12
There'll be lots of talk of multi-agency funding, start-up loans, private-public development partnerships etc. But at the end of the day, it's all going to come out of the taxpayer's pocket.
Am I alone in feeling I've coped pretty well up until now without a "digital media and cultural centre"?
/kev/null
says...
10:34pm Wed 2 May 12
The development is proposed as a hub for digital media studios and an exhibition space - how can attracting creatives in new media be bad for the city? It will renovate an empty shell on the riverside, provide a boost to tourism through the exhibition spaces, and promote new industry in emerging sectors through the studio spaces. Would you honestly rather this didn't happen?
York1900
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10:43pm Wed 2 May 12
/kev/null
says...
10:47pm Wed 2 May 12
pedalling paul
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10:52pm Wed 2 May 12
Paul Hepworth
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11:37pm Wed 2 May 12
york_chap
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11:49pm Wed 2 May 12
2 years from now the site will almost certainly be derelict, flats or a hotel.
Just look at the Terry's site - wasn't that Grantside?
Garrowby Turnoff
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12:38am Thu 3 May 12
Digital Media Arts? Why not...
smudge1
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7:35am Thu 3 May 12
YCFC115
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8:18am Thu 3 May 12
Even AndyD
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8:19am Thu 3 May 12
Osbaldwick Lad
says...
8:25am Thu 3 May 12
Yes I think I am P2
"We are both bananas".
Madasanibbotson
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8:50am Thu 3 May 12
JA-negotiating finance, is this the same guy that can' manage his own bank account.!
again
says...
10:15am Thu 3 May 12
Whistlejacket wrote:Are you using some kind of psychic powers to tell us your views or just ordinary 'digital media' like the rest of us?
So how much is this going to cost us?
There'll be lots of talk of multi-agency funding, start-up loans, private-public development partnerships etc. But at the end of the day, it's all going to come out of the taxpayer's pocket.
Am I alone in feeling I've coped pretty well up until now without a "digital media and cultural centre"?
NoNewsIsGoodNews
says...
10:34am Thu 3 May 12
Paul Hepworth wrote:Oh god. He's talking to himself now.
My lips are sealed PP.......
It really is time for the men in white coats to pay him a visit.
3.8liter
says...
11:30am Thu 3 May 12
It's all pointless speculation.
Let's see where we are in a year's time
razor08
says...
11:38am Thu 3 May 12
york_chap wrote:Yes Grantside were involved with the Terry's fiasco so don't expect any thing to happen fast I think Grantside will probably sell it on they think they can make a profit so don't expect to builders on site for years to come!
"although existing planning permission is in place for other fallback schemes".
2 years from now the site will almost certainly be derelict, flats or a hotel.
Just look at the Terry's site - wasn't that Grantside?
PinzaC55
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11:52am Thu 3 May 12
Top Ten Teaser
says...
12:40pm Thu 3 May 12
PinzaC55 wrote:And they'll keep feeding us a load of Crepello!
The Bonding Warehouse story will run and run.
akuma
says...
4:30pm Thu 3 May 12
There is almost no chance given the buildings history that any insurance carrier will cover it without charging a preimum that is so high no sane person would pay it.
Its old, usless and will most certainly flood again. Its hard a Cathediral or anything important.
Knock it down and have done with it, no one has missed it for 12 years, so what does that say?
the butler
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6:47pm Thu 3 May 12
e and drainage, also do the new owners have a plan for getting in and out during times when the Ouse floods, perhaps a walkwat tied to the bridge?
the butler
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6:49pm Thu 3 May 12
steven45
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8:56am Fri 4 May 12
rk.gov.uk/mgConvert2
PDF.aspx?ID=18432). Incidentally, the building is Grade 2 listed and so cann't just be knocked down.
This project may or may not come off, but how about a bit of postivity from some people?
Dave Taylor
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5:20pm Sun 6 May 12
Magicman!
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12:50am Tue 8 May 12
--
Am I not the only person thinking that housing digital media in a building that floods probably isn't the brightest of ideas...?
Seadog says...
7:32pm Wed 2 May 12