THE man behind York's Business Pride campaign today welcomed plans for a major investment in a new cultural quarter in the city centre.

Adam Sinclair spoke as councillors were being urged to give £1.8 million towards the proposals for a major revamp of the Art Gallery/ Exhibition Square, Yorkshire Museum and Museum Gardens, and Kings Manor area.

The £9 million scheme from the York Museums Trust will lead to the creation of an area dubbed "St Mary's Precinct".

The improvements will include:

The complete refurbishment of the Yorkshire Museum, plus a possible extension

The refurbishment of lodges, observatory and the hospitium in the Museum Gardens

lA new "interpretation" of St Mary's Precinct, with new pathways through it. The improvements are also set to involve a new collections centre for the storage and study of artefacts on land behind York Art Gallery and works to the ruins of St Mary's Abbey.

A report to a meeting next Monday of City of York Council's meeting of the executive member for leisure and heritage and advisory panel calls for the authority to give £1.8 million over three years towards the project - £200,000 in 2006/07, £1 million in 2007/08, and just over £600,000 in 2008/09.

The trust is preparing to bid for £5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and will seek the remaining balance of £2.2 million from other sources.

Mr Sinclair, chairman of York Business Pride, which is seeking to improve the appearance of the city at street level, said he supported the proposed improvements.

"The future for the city is investment in the niches of science, culture and heritage," he said.

Updated: 10:36 Friday, July 08, 2005