YORK’S struggling Coney Street has received a boost with the opening of a new pop-up shop in one of the empty premises.

The pop-up, which was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Keith Orrell, is the latest expansion from Fabrication Crafts Ltd, a social enterprise originally based in Leeds that aims to provide skilled craft people with a place to sell their work.

The store, called Fabrication, sells locally made products created by talented crafts people from both York and Leeds. Items include clothing, homeware, furniture and food, as well as the option to order bespoke items.

Established in 2008, Fabrication works with a number of community organisations including Yorkshire Federated Housing’s Passion4Fashion project. The pop-up shop in Coney Street will remain open throughout the festive season until February.

The shop is being run in partnership with the National Trust, in an attempt to tackle empty properties across the country owned by the body, which may struggle to find tenants due to their listed statuses.

The Grade II listed Coney Street building was originally built in the 1600s before being remodelled in the 20th century.

Cllr Orrell said: “It’s great to be able to open this new venture for Fabrication, especially in the heart of York.

“It is very important that we support local business and continue to work in partnership with the National Trust, who have helped us preserve this historic estate.”

Last month, Poundland opened in Coney Street, at what used to be Poundworld, which shut down in the summer. Other empty shops in Coney Street include the former BHS. A toy shop called The Entertainer is now due to open in the street, and a shop selling Christmas items has recently opened in the former River Island store.