Spurriergate is a short street in the city centre of

York York is a cathedral city with Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. It is the historic county town of Yorkshire. The city has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a ...

, in England.

History

The street follows the line of a Roman road which ran between the walls of

Eboracum Eboracum () was a fort and later a city in the Roman province of Britannia. In its prime it was the largest town in northern Britain and a provincial capital. The site remained occupied after the decline of the Western Roman Empire and ultimate ...

and the River Ouse. In the Mediaeval period, it was regarded as part of

Coney Street Coney Street is a major shopping street in the city centre of York, in England. The street runs north-west from the junction of Spurriergate and Market Street, to St Helen's Square. New Street leads off the north-east side of the street, as ...

, sometimes distinguished as Little Coney Street. It was a narrow street, known for its spur makers, and by 1538 this led to it becoming known as "Spurriergate". The south-west side of the street is dominated by St Michael's Church, and its churchyard lay on both sides. In 1337, two rows of cottages were built along Spurriergate, on part of the churchyard. In 1770, the width of the street was doubled, leading to the demolition of all the buildings on the north-east side of the street, other than 1 Spurriergate, and their replacement by a terrace, which was itself demolished in 1959. In 1841, the street was widened again, with the length of St Michael's Church being reduced, and all the other buildings being demolished and also replaced by a new terrace. The street now forms part of the city's central shopping area.

Layout and architecture

The street runs south-east, from the junction of

and

Market Street Market Street may refer to: *Market Street, Cambridge, England *Market Street, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia * Market Street, George Town, Penang, Malaysia *Market Street, Manchester, England *Market Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ...

, to the junction of

High Ousegate Ousegate is a street in the city centre of York, in England. It is divided into High Ousegate and Low Ousegate. The street forms part of the city's central shopping area. High Ousegate is pedestrianised, but Low Ousegate is a key transport ro ...

, Low Ousegate, and Nessgate. On the south-west side, there is a snickelway, the Mediaeval common lane to the river. Notable buildings on the south-west side of the street include St Michael's Church, and the terrace at 4-24 Spurriergate, which is listed. The north-east side is largely occupied by Spurriergate House. The

City of York Council City of York Council is the municipal governing body of the City of York, a unitary authority in Yorkshire, England. It is composed of 47 councillors, one, two, or three for each of the 21 electoral wards of York. It is responsible for all local ...

is critical of the building, which it describes as having a facade "with no interest or depth", while the corner is "overly dramatic".

References

{{Streets of York Streets in York