‘Lots planned’ as Spark is officially in York until 2030

City of York Council approved Spark’s bid to stay at is site in Piccadilly for an additional five years last October.

The venue, which offers space in converted shipping containers for food and drink start ups along with events and meeting spaces, said its lease extension has now been officially signed off by the council.

A Spark spokesperson said the lease is “now signed, sealed and sorted”, as they thanked everyone who has supported the venue since it opened in 2018.

“This is our fourth extension from the council, but by far the longest yet,” they wrote on social media.

“We’re thankful this time for nearly five years of (hopefully) clear water ahead of us and a chance for some surety over our existence for our team and our traders.

“It feels like some kind of hard-earned acceptance from the powers that be for the value spark brings to York, and also validation for the hard work of so, so many people over the last 10 years.

“We’ve got lots planned across the next six months in terms of improvements to the venue and reinvestment in our spaces, but for now we just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for supporting the project and turning up.”

How did we get here? Background to Spark’s five more years in Piccadilly

Spark first opened in 2018 and its stay in Piccadilly was previously extended in 2022.

The venue has said it plans to move to York Central eventually but this move would not be feasible until 2029 at the earliest.

Spark’s own estimates state it has supported around 65 fledgling businesses and around £5 million-a-year had been turned over there since it first launched.

The site has, however, faced backlash, including from its neighbours.

Objectors told the council’s meeting in October that neighbours faced the prospect of another five years of noise disturbing them despite being told the venue, which one branded a “grotesque monstrosity”, was temporary.

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Twelve objections were lodged, including from people living nearby, to the council complaining about noise and smells from the venue as well as shipping containers being put in York’s historic city centre.

The council also received 11 historic complaints about noise from six different addresses since the venue opened, including two since its permission was extended in 2022.

Eighteen comments were lodged in support of the application, saying it was a valuable community venue that supported a variety of arts and campaigning groups alongside businesses.

Cllr Tony Clarke, Labour councillor for Guildhall which includes Spark, said it played an important social and economic role in the city but it had not been a good neighbour.