The cream of society used to attend illustrious balls at York's 18th century Grand Assembly Rooms. Now the premises look set to become a pizza palace.

Those who attended Lord Burlington's exclusive functions in the 1730s might frown on the current plans. But times change and the Assembly Rooms' owner, the City of York Council, is right to look for a new leaseholder.

The building is in an awkward location, tucked away on Blake Street. Visitors are often unaware of its existence until they see the Corinthian columns. That has led to a succession of managers struggling to make it popular and profitable.

Anyone concerned about the plan to turn it into an Ask Italian restaurant should take comfort from the PizzaExpress experience. The chain took over the Yorkshire Club on Museum Street, a fine building formerly only enjoyed by an elite, and renovated it sensitively. Now it is a thriving and popular venue. The Ask chain must be equally aware of its responsibility to preserve the historical grandeur of the Assembly Rooms for York.

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