BARBICAN bosses say work on refurbishing the York complex and constructing new bars and restaurants should start within the next few weeks.

But that does not seem soon enough for the centre to reopen in time for a gig by re-forming York band Shed Seven.

The Press has previously reported that York's most successful band is to stage a Greatest Hits tour in the run-up Christmas, but without playing in its home town.

Now the band's manager, Simon Lawler, has revealed that with the Barbican shut, it had been impossible to find a decent-sized venue in York.

"We might have considered playing somewhere smaller over several nights as we did in 2003, but we only had three weeks available for the tour, and it was impossible to fit in the dates.

"We appreciate that some of our home town fans may be disappointed, but we are playing Leeds, which is only 20 minutes down the road, and we hope to see some York faces there."

Barbican operators Absolute Leisure received planning permission a few weeks ago for revised plans for the centre, but work has not yet started.

However, managing director Tony Knox said contractors had been on site for the last few weeks working internally, measuring up and making preparations.

"Full work on site is expected to start in the next few weeks," he said. He added he would be able to give a completion date for the scheme "very soon."