Barbican ready to open doors

Organiser Ted Griffiths, of the Royal British Legion, said he has sold more than a thousand tickets for the event, meaning he has made enough to more than cover the costs.

But there are still a couple of hundred tickets available for the 1,250 capacity arena - due to uncertainty during the summer over whether the centre would be available this year. Mr Griffiths said some "regulars," many of whom come in coaches from as far away as Halifax and Middlesbrough, had changed their plans and gone elsewhere this year because they thought it might not take place.

Mr Griffiths said he was keen to sell the remaining tickets if possible, as all profits would go to the Legion's poppy appeal.

Tickets would be on sale at the Grand Opera House until 5pm tomorrow, and would then go on sale at the Barbican box office from 2pm on Sunday.

This will be the 15th Festival of Remembrance to be held at the Barbican, but its availability was in doubt for months because of uncertainty over the whole future of the complex since closing after last autumn's UK Snooker Tournament.

Absolute Leisure, which is taking over the auditorium from City of York Council, said they were not prepared to carry out a revamp until they knew if they could obtain a late-night drinks licence.

The company has been waiting for the courts to hear an appeal by local residents against a council decision in the summer to grant such a licence. The firm agreed earlier this autumn to re-open the centre temporarily as a "goodwill gesture," to allow the festival, a community carol concert and the UK Snooker Tournament to take place.

Meanwhile, Poppy Week in York will start with a dedication service by the Royal British Legion at the South African War Memorial in Duncombe Place at 10.30am tomorrow. The Golden Rail Band will be playing during the half-hour service, which everyone is welcome to attend.

Updated: 10:03 Friday, November 04, 2005