• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

  • Latest
    • York live: Coronavirus
    • News
    • Business
    • Sport
  • Radio
    • YorkMix Radio
    • Shows & schedule
    • How to listen
    • Listen again
  • Things to do
  • Food & drink
  • Vouchers
  • More
    • Comments
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
German Donner Kebab York - 2 for 1

Shops and street food – inside shipping containers! Bold plan for York city centre revealed

An architect's drawing showing a finished Spark:York
Wednesday 16 November, 2016 @ 12.55 pm Environment, News YorkMix
Share via...

This is the bold new vision for Piccadilly in York – a ‘box park’ housing shops, cafés and community projects inside former shipping containers.

Called Spark:York, the start-up business hub could be up and running by spring next year.

The idea is to transform the former Reynards garage site into a buzzing enterprise centre during the day, and a social and performance space at night.

An aerial view of how the site could look. Photograph: Spark:York
An aerial view of how the site could look. Photograph: Spark:York

Dreamed up by three young entrepreneurs from York, the plans have been submitted to City of York Council.

Tom McKenzie and Sam Leach, both 23, and Joe Gardham, 36, hope Spark:York will provide employment for young people and kick-start the regeneration of York’s neglected ‘Southern Gateway’.

York Theatre Royal - The Homecoming
York Theatre Royal - The Homecoming
York Theatre Royal - The Homecoming

The vision

A community hub… Spark:York
A community hub… Spark:York

A shared passion for social enterprise brought the three together. They have visited other successful shipping container hubs in London, including Pop Brixton and Boxpark in Shoreditch.

Spark:York will consist of 15 upcycled shipping containers, arranged over two levels. It is designed by award-winning architect Carl Turner, who featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs, and is the man behind Pop Brixton.

This will be the first scheme of its kind in the North of England: “It’s something new and authentically different,” Joe told YorkMix.

They can be decorated in many different colours and designs, with the Spark:York community deciding on the style and brand.

Tom McKenzie said:

Spark:York will offer the perfect space to meet friends, eat, drink and socialise in a communal space in the heart of the city.

Spark will strengthen York’s early evening offer, by providing somewhere for the after-work crowd through the week, or for people looking to relax on a weekend.

We’ve visited similar places across Europe and are really excited to bring this experience to York.

Inside Spark:York

spark-york-box-park-exterior

Street food kiosks – street food not found elsewhere in the city
Drink kiosks – serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, tapping into the early evening, European-style way of drinking and socialising
Retail – selling products from small indie retailers
Shared workspace – a hub for socially-minded start-ups, charities and entrepreneurs
Meeting/ teaching space – a quiet space for meetings or classroom-type events
Stage and performance area – providing a platform for performing arts and a regular programme of events and activities for York residents
Public workspace – free wi-fi and desk space accessible to people passing by or needing a couple of hours’ space in the city centre

Who could move in

Photograph: Boxpark Shoreditch on Facebook
Photograph: Boxpark Shoreditch on Facebook

Joe said: “York is full of talented and visionary people. We are creating an affordable and inclusive space in the middle of town that will create opportunities for local people to realise their ambition.”

This might be a local chef with a unique culinary idea, a budding retailer who can’t afford a space in town, or a volunteer who wants to take their charitable ideas to the next level.

Sam said it was about providing something new, not just another hotel or more flats. They are particularly keen to help a younger generation prosper.

“This is about providing things for younger people and allowing them to contribute to the local economy,” Sam told YorkMix.

“If we can give space for young, ambition people we can bring more industry to the city centre.”

York seems to lack that one pinnacle hotspot where the city fuses over great music, art and food. A project like Spark:York will fill the gap whilst allowing local and independent businesses to blossom.”
Adam Johnson: Amplify the Anthems


How it works

A 20ft-long shipping container. Photograph ©  BezumniyChasovshik  on Wikipedia
A 20ft-long shipping container. Photograph © BezumniyChasovshik on Wikipedia

The containers
They are either 20ft or 40ft long by 8ft wide
A 40ft container costs £1,500-£2,000 second hand
The 40ft containers can be divided into up to three units
A container can be ready in two days
They are insulated and waterproof, fitted with plumbing and electricity, and can be fitted with a variety of windows and doors
Containers aren’t permanent and can be moved if new plans emerge for the site

The tenants
Spark:York is looking for local entrepreneurs with both a viable business plan and a community ethos
They would get a one-year lease with the option to make it longer
A free business advice hub would help with everything from accounts to insurance

The funding
Income streams for Spark:York will include…

Donations from philanthropists who share their vision

Crowdfunding

Grants for urban regeneration projects

Rent – “we’re not there to maximise profit so we’ll look to keep rents as low as possible”

Transforming the street

Ripe for transformation: the site of the old Reynards garage on Piccadilly, York. Photograph: YorkMix
Ripe for transformation: the site of the old Reynards garage on Piccadilly, York. Photograph: YorkMix

“Piccadilly doesn’t have a really unified community that was going to revive the street but it has the same potential as you’ve seen in Fossgate, Bishy Road and other parts of the city,” Joe said.

Spark:York

Reynards garage site, Piccadilly

Plans submitted Nov 2016; first tenants could move in April 2017

Register interest via [email protected]

Follow Spark:York on Twitter and Facebook

Spark:York would provide that catalyst.

“The aim is that it’s always buzzing, there’s always things going on. Which would be great for the city, and bring people into the area,” Sam told us.

“We want to create somewhere that’s the birthplace of many different spaces and ventures.”

The team, who were all brought up and educated in York, want to give something new to the city.

They say the idea has already generated enthusiasm: “The council have been very receptive and have encouraged us so far,” said Sam.

As things stand the park would be looking for at least three years in that space. It could stay longer on Piccadilly, but if things change, it might move to another suitable space in the city.

And the idea could grow, Joe says; “there are hopes the community could develop this model across the city and the north of England:”.


Related YorkMix stories

Campaigners announce first step to save park heritage project after devastating fire

The big York quiz – how many can you get right?

Stonebow House to be reborn in gold and glass under radical redevelopment plan

8 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Angela
3 years ago

Love the concept and the businesses inside but it looks like a shanty town. What a mess, how has York council allowed it to continue to look like this. Come on, smarten it up a bit, this is a major tourist city after all!

0
Bill Kerr
3 years ago

On holiday in York,and just been to spark what a brilliant idea food,bars all in shipping containers every town should have a place like this

0
Rachel
3 years ago

Went to Sparks for the first time, thought it was fantastic. Weather helped… Just a real buzz, great to see York so progressive

0
Eddie oneill
5 years ago

Great idea I’m in process of bringing together similar think to leith in Edinburgh . Shipping container retail park
…………………………….business park
…………………………….storage park…
…………………………….recycle
…………………………….cafe( made also from containers )
……………………………..caravan storage
………………………………art studios

0
Stephen Gavin
5 years ago

Apart from being a good thing in its own right, this could be a good way of ‘sketching/modeling’ future developments.

0
Jazzy
5 years ago

No problem with its intended purposes, but it looks hideous. I can imagine it in a few years neglected and covered in rust.

0
Nigel
Reply to  Jazzy
5 years ago

Boxpark in Shoreditch has maintained its appearance for several years. I don’t see an issue with this.

0
Laura Outhart
5 years ago

I love this. Absolutely what we need in York. Genuinely excited. Go Team Spark:York

0

Footer

YorkMix
News 01904 848 766
Email YorkMix news »
5-6 King's Court, Shambles, York  YO1 7LD
YorkMix Radio
General enquiries 01904 375 029
Studio/competitions 01904 375 030
Email YorkMix Radio »
Selby Superbowl, Bawtry Road, Selby  YO8 8NA
YorkMix is a trading name of YorkMix Media Ltd
Registered in England
Company number: 07814727
VAT number: 154 0364 34
© York Sound Ltd

Copyright © 2022 YorkMix Media Ltd

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
wpDiscuz