(Image: Supplied)
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Plans to create a new snickelway in an historic York street are off the table — for now.
The Helmsley Group’s development director, Max Reeves, confirmed the proposals to demolish the former Lush unit in Coney Street and create a new snickelway have been shelved for the time being.
He told The Press the group will still be redeveloping the area behind the unit in the Guildhall into a public realm, but it may differ from the original plans and will not initially be accessed via the snickelway.
It means the new riverside-linked area, to be named St Martin’s Yard, will now be accessed via the entrance to the City Screen Cinema and Revolution bar, as well as by using an existing snickelway off Coney Street.
The back of the former Lush unit where the snickelway would have taken people to the newly created public realm, under the plans (Image: Dylan Connell)
Mr Reeves said the long-term plan remains to build the new snickelway, but this will not be happening any time soon.
He previously said the new St Martin’s Yard, due to be completed under phase one of the riverside scheme, aimed to breathe new life into the previously underused area.
“The ambition is still there,” he said, “we’re still going to do the improvements.
“The public realm vision and the long-term vision still remain.”
Max Reeves, development director at the Helmsley Group (Image: Dylan Connell)
Mr Reeves said the Helmsley Group is currently concentrating on the new retail spaces next to where the snickelway would have been created at the St Helen’s Square end of Coney Street.
He pointed to the refurbishment of shop units which he said has made a “big difference” to the area and paved the way for new businesses, most recently Space NK, moving into Coney Street.
A new snickelway was due to be created in the former Lush unit, between Mango and Space NK, but the plans have been shelved - for now (Image: Dylan Connell)
Mr Reeves said Space NK has been “really popular” with queues forming after its opening last week.
The director also said the top floors of the newly refurbished retail units are in use following redevelopment work under phase one of the masterplan to link Coney Street to the nearby riverside.
Café plans to open in what would have been snickelway
Meanwhile, Federal café has announced it will be opening a 100-cover venue in the former Lush unit, which was due to be demolished to pave way for the snickelway.
Mr Reeves said he expected Federal café, which has venues in Leeds and Manchester, to be well received in York.
- Federal café to open fifth venue in York city centre
- Work gets underway on first phase of major work to transform Coney Street in York
- Coney Street masterplan by Helmsley Group approved
After the completion of St Martin's Yard, work will move to phases two and three of the Coney Street development which will see the former Burton building and the current Boots building demolished to provide access to the riverside.
The Boots building will be demolished to create a new street linking to a riverfront area called Waterloo Place.
How Waterloo Place, off Coney Street, could look (Image: Supplied)
The backs of existing retail units Next and WH Smith will also be removed for a new riverside walkway to be created, according to the plans.
A six-storey building will then be built fronting on to the River Ouse with businesses on the ground floor and student accommodation on the upper floors.
Mr Reeves said the work will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption in Coney Street.
He has admitted that the development means “there will be disruptions and it will affect traders” but said: “We’re trying to do our best to minimise that.”