Going, going - almost gone: a look back at the iconic Banana Warehouse of York

THERE are few buildings more iconic in York than the Banana Warehouse in Piccadilly.

Many readers will fondly remember it as an Aladdin’s cave of York, run by charismatic businessman Dave Dee.

For more than 20 years, it was a place to browse for a bargain among the bric a brac.

But as our photos today show, most of the warehouse has been reduced to rubble and cleared away to make way for a new hotel and restaurant.

Under development plans, the iconic facade of the building - now supported by steel work - is to be retained and incorporated into designs for the new 168-bedroom hotel which will soon stand in its place.

The Banana Warehouse when it was a banana warehouse, the business of FT Burley & Son. The picture was probably taken in the mid to late twenties. The Banana Warehouse when it was a banana warehouse, the business of FT Burley & Son. The picture was probably taken in the mid to late twenties.

It marks the end of an era for this special York building.

The original Banana Warehouse dates from 1925 and was one of the first buildings in Piccadilly.

Backing on to the River Foss, it was commissioned by FT Burley, a wholesale fruit merchants, to store bananas. Barges travelled up the river and delivered green bananas to the back of the warehouse. They were then moved into special warm ripening rooms until they were ready to eat, upon which they were refrigerated until sold.

In the mid 1920s, bananas were not the everyday fruit we enjoy today. They would have been considered an exotic luxury by York locals.

Dave Dee inside the old Banana Warehouse.Dave Dee inside the old Banana Warehouse.

In 1994, Dave Dee took over the building, turning it into York's leading secondhand shop and filling it to the rafters with furniture, bric-a-brac and antiques.

It was a sad day in 2016 when the Banana Warehouse closed - Dave had run his business for more than 45 years, having started out in Apollo Street.

On closing, he told The Press: "It's sad to be calling it a day after all this time."

Share your memories

What are your memories of the Banana Warehouse? Join the conversation online in our Facebook group, Why We Love York - Memories. Find us at: www.facebook.com/groups/yorknostalgia