THERE are many who would welcome the demolition of Stonebow House.

But as the feature on our centre pages reveals today, there are many who would view its loss with concern.

They include Tim Hornsby – the man who, 21 years ago, founded a new music venue, Fibbers.

Fibbers has gone on to become an irreplaceable part of York’s music scene.

But if Stonebow House were to be demolished, Mr Hornsby warns, there is every possibilty it would close.

The future of other businesses in the building – rival music venue The Duchess, Heron Foods and Jorvik Café among them – would also need to be considered. All would have to be consulted, and ideally new premises found for them.

In reality, it is likely to be a long time before anything happens at Stonebow.

The city council is still completing the purchase of the freehold outright from North Yorkshire County Council.

It will then be in a position to deal directly with the leaseholders. But it is likely to be years before a substantive business plan appears.

Nevertheless, it is right that we should be talking about the building’s future. It is ugly, and out of keeping with the rest of York. But if it is to go, everyone in the city should have the chance to have their say on what should take its place.