City of York Council's deadline for the submission of tenders for the comprehensive re-development of the Barbican closed at noon today (Friday, May 3, 2002).

Of the original 11 bidders five were invited to submit detailed proposals and four have now done so. These proposals will be subject to detailed analysis before being presented to councillors.

The current timetable for re-development would mean completion of any work in the middle of 2005 with public consultation before any scheme was to get underway next year (2003).

Charlie Croft, head of the council's York Leisure Office, said, "We asked the short listed bidders to come back with more details of their proposals and we have now received extremely detailed information.

"We will now be sifting through the information so it can be presented in a standardised format which will allow councillors to compare the various options in terms of the facilities and financial consequences. This is likely to take at least a couple of weeks to carry out."

"The council wants to ensure that high-quality leisure facilities will continue to be provided on the site with public swimming opportunities and better auditorium facilities for a wide variety of quality entertainment. There will be public consultation before any scheme goes ahead."

END For background information on the Barbican story please see www.york.gov.uk/whatsnew/index.html