A POPULAR city centre pub has reopened after a £180,000 refurbishment.

The Duke of York, on King’s Square, has been revamped with new seating installed,improved access to disabled facilities and a new exterior.

There are also new signs, planter boxes beneath the windows and the interior has been redecorated.

General manager Rob Speake, who also manages the site’s equally popular sister pub the Eagle and Child, said the aim is to create a cosier environment for customers.

York Press:

He said: “I wanted it to be the best pub in York and I hope this will bring us closer to that. We pride ourselves on our selection of beers and gins and our service.

“We are trying to create a softer, cosier environment in the pub. We need more soft seating so people can spend more time here.

“So we have got more booth seating and less little seating stools.”

The pub has also been given a new lick of paint in “heritage” blue as well as a new set of signs featuring Richard the third Duke of York’s coat of arms.

Mr Speake said: “It’s often quite difficult to see the pub, there’s often something going on in King’s Square and at Christmas we can disappear so we have brightened up the colour.”

The Grade II-listed building was converted from a disused estate agency and other vacant properties into a pub in 2013.

A planning statement says the owners are mindful of the rich history of the site, adding: “The character of the premises adds to the appeal of the square itself. The three amalgamated properties have been estimated to have remained largely untouched for around 700 years and the conversion was obviously only granted having been mindful of this.”

The Duke of York in King’s Square reopened yesterday.