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Patio Garden Project
After plans first began over 5 years ago in 2017, we have finally broken ground on our long-awaited Patio Garden Project.
We are transforming our patio area to be a pocket park in the centre of York and upgrading the facilities to enable us to host performances and events outside, while improving the accessibility and environmental sustainability of the area.
Design
The garden is in an historic location between two listed buildings – the Theatre Royal and De Grey House on St Leonard’s Place. Originally an extended garden between these buildings, the patio area was created as part of the Patrick Gwynn design for the 1967 foyer extension of the theatre.
Yorkshire-based company Lizzie Tulip Landscape and Garden Design has worked on the project. Lizzie has an extensive portfolio and is a Chelsea Flower Show medal winner.
The design includes a flexible performance space with staging, an outdoor café area and lighting that will enable evening use of the space. Work on transforming the space began this week and should be completed by September this year.
Environmental Sustainability
As one of our organisational aims, this project aims to stabilise and diversify the planting on our patio. Overgrown shrubs along the western edge will be replaced with new planting to open views and improve the diversity and species of flora.
The planting has been specifically chosen to provide year-round interest for visitors and passers-by including the planting of trees, shrubs, perennials, ferns, ornamental grasses, climbers, and bulbs. Many are UK native species or cultivators of native plants that will be beneficial to birds and insects. There will also be a rainwater collection to provide an environmentally friendly way of watering the plants.
Access
Access to the patio has been an issue we have wanted to rectify for a long time. We are pleased to say that it will now be fully accessible for wheelchair users and prams with the existing gate to the patio being renovated for easy access/opening, installation of a ramp, new and even sandstone paving as well as levelling and re-shaping the existing paving, and handrails either side of the ramp. The patio will be accessible from street level to remove the necessity to use stairs.
Community
Overall, we want this space to be used by the people of York whether they are visiting a show, having coffee from our café, or looking for a place to sit for a moment.
Jonathan Bryant, Secretary and CEO of York Conservation Trust, said: “York Conservation Trust is proud to have a strong partner relationship with York Citizens Theatre Trust through which it cares for York Theatre Royal for the benefit of York’s many communities and visitors to our city.
“The Patio Garden Project reminds us that theatre can have many stages. It makes excellent use of external space adjacent to the highly acclaimed 1967 extension by Patrick Gwynn and will be a valuable new public space in the city.”
Thank you to our supporters
As well as public donations, the Patio Garden Project has been supported by the Bruce Wake Charitable Trust. We have also received generous donations from individual donors and through our community fundraising campaign.
Donate Today
Click here to support the Patio Garden Project