York Barbican facts for kids
York Barbican
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| Location | York, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°57′12.42″N 1°4′27.27″W / 53.9534500°N 1.0742417°W |
| Owner | City of York Council |
| Operator | ASM Global |
| Capacity | 1,900 standing; 1,500 seated |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1991 |
| Renovated | 2011 |
| Website | |
| http://www.yorkbarbican.co.uk | |
The York Barbican is a popular indoor place for fun and events in York, England. It got its name from a nearby old gatehouse called a barbican, which is part of Walmgate Bar. This venue hosts many exciting events.
You can enjoy live music, comedy shows, and sports here. It also holds business meetings and conferences. The Barbican can seat 1,500 people or fit 1,900 people standing.
It is famous for hosting the UK Snooker Championship. This is a very important snooker tournament. York Barbican has hosted it many times, from 2001 to 2006, and then again from 2011 until now. The venue is located near the southern edge of York city centre. It sits right across from the historic York city walls.
Contents
History of York Barbican
Building the Venue
The current York Barbican building was finished in 1989. The City of York Council spent about £15 million to build it. Before this, a swimming pool was built on the same spot in 1980.
The 1989 construction added a large sports hall and an auditorium. It also included a climbing wall, a café, and places to buy drinks. The Barbican became a big place for concerts and local activities. It even hosted the yearly York Interschool Battle of the Bands.
Challenges and Closure
Even with many events, the York Barbican often lost money when the council ran it. So, in 2000, the council decided to find a private company to manage it. They hoped a new company could make it more successful.
By 2003, one company wanted to take over the site. They planned to build new swimming pools. However, a local group called 'Save Our Barbican' (S.O.B.) disagreed with these plans. They led a public protest against the ideas.
Later, there were ideas to build apartments or even a casino and nightclub. But by the end of 2004, no plans were approved. The local group also started a legal case. Because of this, York Barbican closed down and stayed empty for several years. The old swimming pool building was taken down. The 1989 building started to look worn out and was damaged by vandals.
Reopening and New Management
Good news came in spring 2011 when the Barbican finally reopened. It had a big makeover that cost £1.5 million. The council still owns the building. However, a company called ASM Global now manages it. ASM Global is an international company that runs many venues around the world.
In June 2021, a local group started using the empty land where the swimming pool used to be. They called it the "Barbican Community Centre." They said they wanted to stop the land from being used for expensive student housing. This land had been empty for 15 years.
Exciting Events at York Barbican
Political Gatherings
The York Barbican often hosts important political events. The Liberal Democrats, a major political party in the UK, regularly hold their Liberal Democrat Conference here. This is where they discuss their plans and policies.
In 2019, the venue also hosted a special event for the Conservative Party. This was when Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson were competing to become the party leader. They both spoke at the Barbican during this important time.
Snooker Championships
The venue is well-known as the current home of the UK Snooker Championship. This is one of the biggest and most important snooker tournaments in the world. Fans come from everywhere to watch top players compete.
