First chance to visit West Offices at Residents Festival
Issued by City of York Council
This weekend, residents have their first opportunity to step inside City of York Council’s new offices and customer centre, created from York’s first railway station.
When it opens to the public in March this year, the sympathetically and creatively restored Grade II* listed building will provide a modern and welcoming new customer centre and offices for the council and partner organisations.
Councillor Sonja Crisp, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “As part of the weekend of events to thank residents for the warm welcome they give visitors all year round, this event at West Offices is a first for Residents Festival.
“On Saturday 26 January, residents can call in from 10am – 4pm and on Sunday 27 January, it’s open for viewing from 11am – 3pm.
“Visitors can admire the public art which is in the final stages of being installed in what was once the 1830’s railway entrance hall and platform space and which will be the customer centre.”
They can also view the surviving section of glass and steel canopy which once stretched out from the hotel building and has now been carefully restored and relocated.
Besides being able to visit the ground floor, there will be information on the rainwater harvesting, solar panels, bio fuels for heating and natural daylight and ventilation.
Moving to West Offices will enable the council to reduce its office accommodation from 17 buildings to just two (West Offices and Hazel Court) and save around £17 million over the next 25 years, while giving residents and visitors a much-improved customer experience. No pre-booking required.
The customer centre at West Offices will open in March 2013.
The Mansion House doors are being thrown open to residents for free as well on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 January from 11am – 4pm. From the simplicity of the kitchens to the largest collection of civic silver outside London, to memories of former Mayors and staff, this home of the Lord Mayor is a living treasure trove. No pre-booking required.
The behind the scenes tours of the City Archives planned for Saturday 26 January has been rescheduled for February half-term holiday because of staff sickness. The new date and booking details will be published on the archives pages of the council website www.york.gov.uk Everybody who has already booked on these tours is warmly invited to come along when the event is re-arranged in mid-February.
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