Significant progress is being made to repair and transform the Guildhall in York.

The site is currently closed for restoration and redevelopment, with works expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Last month, the City of York Council announced that the University of York had signed a 15 year lease of the Guildhall, helping to bring this historic building back to the forefront of the city's social, business and civic life.

Throughout the restoration project, local materials, craftspeople, and sub-contractors have been used wherever possible to support local businesses and contribute to the local economic recovery.


City of York council appointed contractor VINCI Building as main contractor to work on the Guildhall restoration.

An extensive scope of conservation and repair works to the stonework and riverfront of the building was produced by architects Burrell Foley Fischer.

An example of work by local sub-contractors, as the scaffolding is removed from the exterior of the building, is the specialist repairs to the stonework and windows of the historic building fabric. This work was carried out by Pinnacle Conservation Ltd, whose in-house craftspeople undertake heritage restoration and conservation across the country, from their base in York.

Pinnacle secured the masonry conservation contract for the Guildhall after attending a City of York Council ‘meet the buyer event’ and have helped to shape the future of one of the most important buildings in their home city.

Burrell Foley Fischer worked in partnership with Pinnacle to finalise the most appropriate and cost-effective repairs, to help preserve the building.