Phase One of the Snickelway Rejuvenation Project is Complete

York BID is delighted to announce that permanent festoon lighting has been installed in seven of the city’s key snickelways, as part of an ambitious initiative to revitalise these historic spaces. The project was made possible thanks to grants from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, York Safer Business Partnership, and York Civic Trust.

The snickelways included in the project are: Coffee Yard, Lunds Court, Nether Hornpot Lane, Finkle Street, Peter Lane, Pope’s Head Alley, and Le Kyrk Lane. The project aims to reduce crime; enhance safety; and improve the appearance and use of York’s snickelways. These spaces are a key part of York’s unique history and character, but they had become neglected and unsafe. The project supports the BID’s Purple Flag objectives, to foster a safer, cleaner city centre, and a positive nighttime experience for all.

Carl Alsop, Operations Manager at York BID said:

“It’s incredible to see the transformation. With a good clean, a lick of paint, and the addition of lighting, these spaces have an entirely new look and feel.”

“We’re proud to celebrate these once-forgotten spaces. As part of phase 2, we’ll be adding educational street art to encourage exploration of these unique areas, which offer a gateway into York’s fascinating medieval history.”

The BID’s dedicated Street Cleaning Team played a crucial role in the rejuvenation, conducting a deep clean that included the removal of chewing gum, weeds and graffiti, supported by the City of York Council. In addition to the cleaning efforts, volunteers came together to participate in the BID’s Rejuvenation Days. During these events, volunteers repainted infrastructure, such as down pipes and fire doors.

The addition of lighting and a deep clean is just the first stage of the snickelways rejuvenation project. York BID have partnered with York Civic Trust, the University of York, and Bright White to research and interpret the seven snickelways through a free history trail. The trail involves the installation of artistic signage, and will showcase some of York’s lost history, such as the now fallen Church of St Peter-the-Little, York’s medieval cattle markets, and the craftsmen that built the city as we know it.

Kate Giles, Professor from the University of York, has been a key part of the project. She said:

“Whilst the term ‘Snickelways’ was coined by Mark Jones in 1983, many of these ancient alleyways developed in the middle ages when they offered shortcuts within and between houses, workshops, marketplaces and churchyards.”

“It is fantastic to see the BID embrace their hidden histories and encourage both residents and visitors to rediscover and reclaim these streets as modern routeways connecting people and place in both the past and the present.”