York Barbican

York Barbican is an indoor entertainment venue located in York, England. Named after the nearby barbican attached to Walmgate Bar, the centre hosts various music events, family shows and community events throughout the year and is also a venue for conferences. It has a 1,500 seating capacity and a 1,900 standing capacity.[1]

This article is about the entertainment venue in York. For the performing arts centre in London, see Barbican Centre.

York Barbican
LocationYork, England
Coordinates53°57′12.42″N 1°4′27.27″W
OwnerCity of York Council
OperatorASM Global
Capacity1,900 standing; 1,500 seated
Construction
Opened1991
Renovated2011
Website
http://www.yorkbarbican.co.uk

York Barbican was also the host venue for the second biggest-ranking snooker tournament, the UK Championship from 2001 to 2006, with the championships returning to the venue in 2011.[2]

The centre is located on the southern end of York city centre, opposite the city walls.[3]

History

The current facility was built in 1989 at a price of £15 million by York Council, adding to a swimming pool, which had been previously constructed on the site in 1980.[4] The 1989 construction added a sports hall and auditorium, with a climbing wall facility, café and bars. Despite offering the largest concert facility and a wide range of classes and local events (such as the annual York Interschool Battle of the Bands), York Barbican consistently made losses while it was operated by the council, and in 2000, both the swimming pool and new facilities were placed on the market in a bid to pass them on to private management.

By 2003, a single bidder had emerged as the preferred company to develop the site. Proposals to build new swimming facilities were part of the plans. However, a local group of residents, 'Save Our Barbican' (S.O.B.) spearheaded local opposition to the proposals circulated in the public consultation.[5] Later planned developments suggested apartments on the site, or a casino and nightclub facility. By the end of 2004, with no plans accepted and a legal case going forward by the resident group, York Barbican was closed and lay empty for years to come. The swimming pool building was demolished, and the 1989 building began to show signs of weathering and vandalism and closed down.

In spring 2011, it finally reopened after a £1.5 million refurbishment, owned by the council but managed by ASM Global, an international venue operator.[6]

Notable events

The Liberal Democrats regularly hold the Liberal Democrat Federal Conference at York Barbican.[7]

References
  1. "York Barbican Centre". visityork.org. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  2. "UK Snooker Championship". Yorkbarbican.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 December 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  3. "How to find York Barbican". Yorkbarbican.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 December 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  4. "Save Our Barbican - history". Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  5. "Save Our Barbican - history". Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  6. "About York Barbican". Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  7. Roger Mortimore and Andrew Blick, Butler's British Political Facts, Palgrave Macmillan 2018, p. 274 & 275.
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