The City of York Council has officially approved plans to transform a medieval gatehouse into a new art gallery and shop that will showcase local artwork and support the city's cultural heritage. Artist Andrew Winn submitted the successful application to convert the historic Micklegate Bar gatehouse, which previously housed various history-themed tourist attractions.
The approved project will create a dedicated gallery space within the gatehouse to exhibit works by local and regional artists. Additionally, the facility will include a shop that will offer printing demonstrations, host educational talks and community events, and sell locally-produced art and heritage goods. According to the planning documents, the new gallery and shop are designed to help sustain the Grade I-listed building's cultural value while enhancing its contribution to York's overall heritage offerings.
Micklegate Bar holds significant historical importance as a 14th-century structure that served as the traditional entrance point for monarchs visiting York. The gatehouse has a dark history, having been the site where the severed heads of rebels and traitors to the crown were publicly displayed. Throughout the centuries, the rooms above the bar gate have served various purposes, including housing a prison, police station, and fencing club.
More recently, the space was home to the Henry VII Experience, which closed in 2020 following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, and the City Walls Experience, which shut down in 2024. The approval comes after both Micklegate Bar and Monks Bar in Goodramgate were put on the market for lease at £4,000 per year in July.
The planning application emphasizes that the sale of locally-produced artwork will provide economic benefits to the city. The proposal also states that workshops and demonstrations will help strengthen York's reputation for both its heritage offerings and its creative industries. Importantly, no structural modifications are planned as part of the conversion, ensuring the historic integrity of the building remains intact.
All interior changes to the gatehouse are designed to be completely reversible, reflecting a commitment to preserving the building's historic character. The conversion plans call for using existing fixtures and fittings to display gallery elements, supplemented by free-standing furniture that can be easily removed if needed. This approach ensures that future generations will have the option to restore the space to its original configuration while allowing the building to serve a vibrant cultural purpose in the present.
