Art gallery plan approved for medieval gateway

Micklegate Bar in York dates from the 14th Century

Plans have been approved to house an art gallery and shop in a medieval gateway in York's city walls.

City of York Council approved an application from artist Andrew Winn to convert the Micklegate Bar gatehouse, which previously housed history-themed attractions.

His plans said the attraction, which would showcase work by local and regional artists, would help to sustain the Grade I listed building's cultural value.

No structural changes are planned as part of the conversion and all changes made to the inside of the gatehouse are set to be reversible.

Approval of the plans came after the gatehouse was marketed to lease for £4,000 a year in July, along with Monk Bar in Goodramgate.

Micklegate Bar, which dates from the 14th Century, is the traditional entrance for monarchs visiting York and was used to display the severed heads of traitors.

The rooms above the bar gate have been home to a prison, police house and fencing club.

They recently housed the Henry VII Experience, which closed following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, and the City Walls Experience which shut in 2024.

Both attractions were run by York Archaeology, the operator of Jorvik and the Barley Hall.

The gallery plans said the centre would offer workshops and demonstrations, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

They said: "The inclusion of a printing heritage focus, letterpress demonstrations and community-focused workshops ensures that the building will remain a vibrant cultural asset for York."

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