THE Barbican Centre is to stay open until the autumn. Except for the pool. And there will be no more concerts in the auditorium.

A famous York word best sums up the situation: shambles.

The May 31 deadline always seemed over ambitious, and so it has proved.

The company taking over the leisure site is not ready, which does not bode well for the future.

The mess reflects badly on the city council which underestimated public disapproval and failed to secure planning permission for its own scheme in time.

Updated: 11:26 Friday, May 07, 2004