A favourite York retailer has submitted plans to open a new shop in historic city monument.
Marcus Doyle and Warren Booth, founders of The Yorkshire Soap Company, have submitted a full planning application to convert the historic Monk Bar building in York from museum use to retail.
Monk Bar was previously home to the Richard III Experience but the attraction, and its sister venue the Henry VII Experience at Micklegate Bar, never reopened after Covid.
Both Monk Bar and Micklegate Bar were put up for rent by York Archaeology in July, and in September a planning application for Micklegate Bar to turn it into a shop and gallery was submitted by York printmaker Andy Winn.
Now Monk Bar could be all change too, with The Yorkshire Soap Company at its helm.
The company, which operates 10 stores across Yorkshire under three established brands – The Yorkshire Soap Company, The Imaginarium on Blake Street, and The Society of Alchemists on Shambles – plans to bring a new retail experience to one of York’s iconic landmarks.
Plans include using two floors for retail, with the potential for the upper floor to host community projects in the future. The new retail concept will be inspired by The Society of Alchemists, drawing on the tower’s medieval history.
The company has already created a range of bespoke products inspired by the heritage of Monkgate Bar, which will be sold exclusively at the site.
They have been in ongoing discussions for several months with City of York Council, who own Monk Bar, and the York Archaeological Trust.
The proposal for Monk Bar does not alter the fabric of the Grade I* listed building. All fixtures and fittings will be entirely free-standing, ensuring the historic structure remains untouched.
Next year marks 20 years since Marcus and Warren founded The Yorkshire Soap Company. From humble beginnings making soap in Hebden Bridge, the business has grown into one of Yorkshire’s most recognisable independent retail brands.
“We started making and selling soap in Hebden Bridge, and now we are hopefully beginning
a new chapter in this remarkable historic building,” said Marcus.
This summer, Marcus and Warren were featured in Channel 4’s ‘Our Yorkshire Shop: A Victorian Restoration’, a programme that followed the restoration of a community shop in Masham.
Following the positive response to the series, they hope to tempt the producers to
follow this next chapter at Monk Bar, given the building’s extraordinary historic significance and the detailed care being taken to bring it back into public use.
“We are incredibly excited about the opportunity to become custodians of this cherished York building,” Marcus said. “We know how important Monk Bar is to the people of York, and we will do everything we can to respect, protect, and celebrate its history.”
Although the building will operate as a retail space, the company stresses that Monk Bar will remain open to everyone, whether they choose to shop or simply wish to explore the historic interior.
“We are only the temporary custodians,” Marcus added. “This building will always belong to the people of York.”
