A YORK-BASED company has been appointed to continue restoration work on the city's historic Mansion House.

The job has gone to construction, refurbishment and restoration contractor William Birch & Sons Ltd.

There was concern in September when another York company, William Anelay Ltd, went into administration while working on the Mansion House.

External works on the building have been taking place over the autumn, including repairing the chimney stacks and removing old paint from the external stonework.

William Birch & Sons Ltd will be the company completing remaining internal works in the Mansion House and moving the Opening Doors project on.

The business started life in York, building and restoring many of the city's high-profile properties, including the York Minster Library, Fairfax House, Kings Manor, York Theatre Royal and the York Explore Library.

The family-owned construction company has an historic connection with the Mansion House, with both William Henry Birch (1921) and Jack Birch (1975) holding the position of Lord Mayor of York.

Last year the Mansion House received a grant of £1,198,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), as well as funding from City of York Council and donations to the restoration fund so the historic building can be restored. The ‘Opening Doors’ project, is the biggest investment in the Mansion House since it was built in the 18th century.

The four main areas of the ‘Opening Doors’ restoration project are:

• Restoring the original kitchens to create a fully working 18th-century kitchen and a modern kitchen allowing the house to continue hosting culinary events and functions.

• Improving displays, conservation and access to the civic collection of gold and silverware

• Developing an integrated environmental and conservation plan for the structure, including installing an effective conservation heating system to minimise long-term damage to the contents and fabric of the building and reduce its carbon foot print.

• Preparing an oral history project, involving people past and present with a connection to the building.

Internal work will recommence in December 2016 and are expected to be completed mid 2017.

Councillor Keith Aspden, deputy leader of City of York Council, said: “The council are really happy to be moving forward with the restoration project. We are pleased to involve more local contractors undertaking work in the Mansion House, one of York’s most iconic buildings.

"The finished works will deliver an improved visitor experience by bringing the history of the Mansion House to life and I am looking forward to seeing the completed work.”

Chris Birch, chairman of William Birch, said: “It is with great pride that we are completing these important works in one of York’s most esteemed civic buildings, but it also holds a personal significance for me and our family business, as both my father and my grandfather served as Lord Mayors of the city and lived at the Mansion House during their service.

"I look forward to the journey of its refurbishment and restoration and then unveiling it to all next year."