After a two year project, York Civic Trust successfully installed the new Fossgate Banner on Sunday 29 April. The major City Enhancement project achieved its objective to replace the plastic banner and create a modern and welcoming entrance to one of York’s most popular streets.
Led by a project board chaired by Jim Taylor, the project team of Trevor Lawson, David Fraser, Zoe Plummer (Ambiente), John Ives (architect) and Joshua Scarlett (City Enhancement Project Officer) and volunteer Nick Beilby worked for many months to fabricate and install the banner, after City of York Council granted permission in April 2017.
Technical challenges to the design and implementation led this to being one of the most complex City Enhancement projects to date, as well one of the most ambitious. PPIY’s design is based on Fossgate’s past. Known to be the site of a Medieval fish market, Fossgate is now home to many independent shops and bars, and has established a new reputation as the ‘Merchants’ Quarter’.
The new banner changes the entrance to Fossgate, providing a welcome addition to this part of the city that is light, contemporary, whilst in keeping with the street-scape. The weather held for a quicker than anticipated installation.
At the first Fossgate Festival of the year, to be held next week on Sunday 6 May, the banner will be officially dedicated at a ceremonial unveiling of a plaque led by the project’s major donor, York BID, and representatives from the project.
The Civic Trust thanks Barker & Patterson, PPIY Architects, DossorMCA (now Mason Clark Associates), the Fossgate Association and places on record its appreciation to York BID for funding over 50% of the total project cost and the donations of other stakeholders including the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall.