15th August 2011, 08:13 AM
As resident of (but sadly never worker in) York I must say I found the original story rather worrying in the curent climate. Partticularly as York has a recent history that seems at odds with the 'develop at all costs' argument being trotted out by messrs Melton, Pickles and the like.
York has seen at least two surges of city centre development in the last 20 years with the Coppergate in the 1980s and the area around Parliament Street in the 1990s. Taking a Saturday morning walk around town in 2011 reveals that the high street names that occupied the previous shopping areas like Coney Street have largely moved into the newer developments, leaving behind a sea of mobile phone shops and tat. Recently even some of the newer areas seem to have gone into decline although given the current financial turmoil that's hardly surprising.
It was, however, only a couple of years ago that the city Council's answer to this problem was... to build a new shopping centre between the existing Coppergate area and Clifford's Tower.
York has seen at least two surges of city centre development in the last 20 years with the Coppergate in the 1980s and the area around Parliament Street in the 1990s. Taking a Saturday morning walk around town in 2011 reveals that the high street names that occupied the previous shopping areas like Coney Street have largely moved into the newer developments, leaving behind a sea of mobile phone shops and tat. Recently even some of the newer areas seem to have gone into decline although given the current financial turmoil that's hardly surprising.
It was, however, only a couple of years ago that the city Council's answer to this problem was... to build a new shopping centre between the existing Coppergate area and Clifford's Tower.
D. Vader
Senior Consultant
Vader Maull & Palpatine
Archaeological Consultants
A tremor in the Force. The last time I felt it was in the presence of Tony Robinson.
Senior Consultant
Vader Maull & Palpatine
Archaeological Consultants
A tremor in the Force. The last time I felt it was in the presence of Tony Robinson.