Riding school to close over ring road uncertainty

The riding school has been open for 50 years, but will close its doors for the final time at the end of August

An equestrian centre has announced its closure after 50 years because of ongoing uncertainty about a road upgrade scheme nearby.

York Riding School's owners are retiring but said they have struggled to find a buyer for the business on Wigginton Road because the prospect of the Outer Ring Road development, which would take away some of its land, has made the site "unattractive" to investors.

An application to dual the Outer Ring Road was approved in 2024 and a review of the project is currently being undertaken.

City of York Council said the development would reduce congestion, but riding school owner Lorna Marchi said it was a "threat" to the business.

The scheme aims to reduce journey times on the A1237 by making a stretch of the road into a dual carriageway and upgrading five roundabouts.

Ms Marchi said: "The riding school has occupied its present site for 50 years, but has lived under the threat of this development since 1993, with it being variously imminent and then delayed multiple times."

Ms Marchi explained that a portion of the riding school's land was earmarked for a service road for the Outer Ring Road scheme, while she also feared the noise and disruption the construction work would cause.

The riding school has struggled to find new management to take over the business

"There is sadly no future for the school," added Ms Marchi.

"I am very sorry that I have been unable to pass on this valuable resource, but times are hard for small enterprises without the threat of a major infrastructure development which I am unable to mitigate. "

The centre has also cited high land values, increases in veterinary bills, financial issues caused by the Covid pandemic, insurance and increased staffing costs as factors that contributed to the closure.

Staff are now looking to rehome horses and ponies, and the tack, equipment, stables, horseboxes and tractors will be sold at auction.

The council's director of city development, Gerry Taylor, said: "We are sorry to hear the riding school is closing. The proposed plans to progress work on York Outer Ring Road have been a long-held ambition, and the plan will enable construction of new homes and increase sustainable travel links."

Senior councillors have agreed to carry out the Outer Ring Road work in phases so that funding can be shared with other projects, including a revamp of the city's railway station.

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