Address: 6 Clifford Street, York, YO1 9RD
Description
Above an intricately carved doorway on Castlegate, the words ‘Clifford Chambers’ are elegantly engraved in white stone.
History
Clifford Street has a storied history in York, evolving from a slum area cleared in 1881 to facilitate access to the new Skeldergate Bridge.
Named after nearby Clifford’s Tower, the street was part of a significant urban improvement plan.
The building at 2-10 Clifford Street, now a Grade II listed building since 1986, originally served a singular purpose.
Commissioned in the mid-1860s, the front section was designed as a corn exchange by George Alfred Dean in the Italianate style but in red brick.
The building was officially opened on October 28, 1868. However, the building’s use as a corn exchange declined sharply following the Great Depression of British Agriculture in the late 19th century.
1879 – Clifford Chambers on the far right of the image Source: York Press
In the early 20th century, William Peacock acquired the corn exchange along with a warehouse located just behind it.
These two structures were merged into one at a cost of £24,000, and divided into several smaller units, one of which became Wards the Florist—whose ghost sign still adorns the facade today.
The building to the right of the ornately carved doorway was transformed into the Grand Theatre and Opera House, which opened in 1902. In 1916, it was renamed the Empire Theatre.
The venue faced closure in 1956 due to high entertainment taxes, when it became S.S. Empire, which served as a bingo hall and roller skating rink until its closure in 1985.
1960s – The S.S Empire houses another ghost sign Source: York Press
Currently, the building houses the Grand Opera House at number 10 and a variety of shops, including a Subway at number 2 and a shoe shop at number 8, which also features the iconic ghost sign ‘Wards the Florist’.
This transformation reflects the dynamic changes Clifford Street has undergone, shaping it into a vibrant commercial and cultural hub in the city.
1998 – The ornately carved Clifford Chambers doorway in the centre of the photo Source: Explore York Archives Asset ID: 1001606
Got thoughts or a story to share about this iconic sign? We’re all ears—drop your comments below and join the conversation!