CITY of York Council’s new headquarters and customer centre at West Offices has boosted the local construction industry, York Property Forum has said.

Eamonn Keogh, chairman of the forum, led a delegation of members on a visit to the former railway station site, which is being developed by S Harrison Developments and Buccleuch Property.

He said: “Like all other cities, York faces real challenges in attracting inward investment, coping with the international recession and finding appropriate sites on which to build.

“West Offices is a superb example of how older buildings can be brought back into sustainable and productive use.

“The scheme has provided a significant boost to the construction sector in the city. Once completed it will provide efficiency cost savings for the council and a superb focal point for the delivery of council services.”

Miller Construction, main contractor for the scheme, expects to hand over West Offices to the council in autumn.