York Barbican officially re-opened

Nick Reed, of the entertainment complex’s new operator SMG, said the event on Saturday night marked the start of a new chapter in the city’s economic and cultural life.

He said the last eight months, since SMG had been awarded the Barbican contract by City of York Council and began a £2 million refurbishment, had been “invigorating”.

He said SMG staff had worked around the clock to make the project happen and they now had ambitious plans for the Barbican, where they aimed to stage 250 events a year.

He thanked York people for making the company welcome.

He said: “There has been a huge amount of goodwill towards SMG around the re-opening of the Barbican.”

Meanwhile, James Alexander, the council’s Labour group leader, and Sonja Crisp, spokesperson for leisure and culture, have been on a tour of the complex and spoken of their delight that it has now re-opened.

“The Barbican opening coinciding with Labour winning control of the council is the icing on the cake,” said Coun Crisp.

Liberal Democrat acting group leader Carol Runciman also welcomed the reopening.

“It is the result of a lot of hard work by the outgoing Liberal Democrat administration,” she said. “The Barbican has now had a £2 million refurbishment at no cost to York taxpayers. The work done by the Liberal Democrats to reopen the Barbican will stand the city of York in good stead for many years to come.”

Blowing her own trumpet

IT was standing room only in a York store when music lovers of flocked to hear the best of brass.

Award-winning trumpeter Alison Balsom, who was playing at the Barbican later in the day, dropped into Banks Musicroom in Lendal to give a short recital, answer questions and sign books and CDs.

“It was absolutely fantastic,” said Ben Robinson, the store’s commercial manager.

“She was really engaging with everyone.”

Alison rose to national fame when she won the brass section of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition in 1998.