THE glazed canopy in Coppergate Shopping Centre in St Mary’s Square could be removed, plans say, under proposals to “enhance the visual quality of the public realm.”

Monday, 19 May 2025 13:56

By Kevin Glenton

The structure follows a hook shape over the frontage of stores including Bonmarché, Primark, Fenwick and Flying Tiger, as well as doors to the Coppergate Centre multi-storey car park and the path to the River Foss and Piccadilly.

Planning documents said it is “considered to be a negative contribution to the appearance of a public square.”

St Mary’s Square could be used for event hosting, outdoor retail or leisure uses, improving footfall and enhance the look of the existing centre, plans say.

In an application submitted to City of York Council from Mahavir Properties Limited, the visual quality of the public realm would be enhanced by the canopy’s removal, and its size and materials are said to detract from neighbouring cultural and heritage assets in York’s central conservation area.

The plans say that no new structure is planned to replace the canopy and the area would be sympathetically restored in keeping with the existing square.

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