Address: 130 Navigation Road, York, YO1 9UL
Description
Two-metre-tall block capital letters spell out ‘LANCE’ in white paint against a black background, painted on brick.
History
The sign once displayed “Ambulance” as this building served as the Ambulance depot during World War II. As this was before the NHS was established in 1948, this was a private service.
In the 1960s, demolition of part of the wall removed ‘AMBU’, leaving ‘LANCE’ visible.
In the 1970s, JH Walker, a coal, sand, and gravel merchant established in 1906, took over the building. Having moved from Layerthorpe to Navigation Road, they shifted their focus to building supplies, phasing out the coal trade.
J.H Walker Layerthorpe premises Source: York Press
Walker’s was the first builders’ merchant in York to receive the BS5750 British Standard and introduced a fully computerised stock control system.
They were also pioneers in using vehicles equipped with ‘brick-grab’ cranes.
During York’s floods in 2000, Walker’s played a crucial role by ensuring a steady supply of sand for sandbags, helping protect the city from further damage.
In 2004, the business was acquired by Travis Perkins, another building merchant, which continues to operate at the location today.
How the yard looks today Source: York Press
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