Address: 2 St. Helen’s Square, York, YO1 8QP (now The Ivy)
Description
Beneath the modern sign for “The Ivy,” you can still make out the faint outlines of metal letters that once read “Barclays.”
This ghost sign, subtly peeking through the current façade, hints at the building’s past as a former Barclays Bank branch.
History
In 1928, a block of buildings along Davygate and St. Helens Square was demolished to make way for new construction.
One of the notable additions to the new block was a Barclays Bank branch located at 2 St. Helens Square.
This Barclays Bank branch was operational from the 1930s and continued to serve customers until it closed in the early 1990s.
1930 Source: York Press
During its heyday, this branch was one of two major Barclays locations in York, alongside the still-operating branch on Parliament Street.
The building where Barclays was once located has since been designated as a Grade II listed building, recognising its architectural and historical significance.
1974 – On the far left of the image you can see ‘Barclays Bank Limited’ Source: York Press
After Barclays left, the site was taken over by Blacks, an outdoor retailer specialising in camping and hiking gear.
The space underwent another transformation when The Ivy, a popular upscale restaurant, opened its doors in 2017, bringing a new era to this storied location.
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