But when it comes to character, appeal, and offering a real slice of UK history, they are incredibly difficult to beat.
Dating back to Roman times, York’s historic city wall gateways, Micklegate Bar and Monk Bar, include spaces over three floors that have just come on the market for businesses to lease.
Promising a rare opportunity, the famous gateways through York’s city walls have generated ‘unprecedented’ levels of interest just days after becoming available.
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The 12th Century Micklegate Bar and the 14th Century Monk Bar both belong to City of York Council but are leased to the York Archaeological Trust.
In recent years that have been home to attractions including The Henry VII Experience, The Richard III Experience and The City Walls Experience.
Inside Micklegate Bar (Image: Pic supplied)
However, with all attractions no longer operating, the Trust is looking for tenants for the remainder of its lease terms on each building.
Having been placed on the market just over a week ago by Yorkshire commercial property specialists Barry Crux & Company and Garness Jones, they have attracted ‘unprecedented demand’.
Barry Crux & Company director Andrew Spencer said: “We’ve really been taken by surprise by level of interest.
“Our client, York Archaeological Trust, no longer has any intended use for the spaces and so came to us to see what the appetite there may be in the market for somebody to take over the leases.
“We expected interest to create maybe a small tearoom or similar, but they have generated interest for retail, art and crafts display spaces and potentially as a base for ghost walks, and businesses related to witches, psychics, goths, druids and spiritualists.
“Within a matter of days of being on market we’d had a significant number of offers made, without even having a viewing of the spaces, and more than 40 enquires and requested viewings. It has been unpreceded. The enquires just keep coming in day after day.”
Monk Bar offers 1,713 sq ft of space over three floors for a £6,000 annual rent, with Micklegate Bar offering 986 sq ft of space, again over three floors, with a rent of £4,000 a year.
Mr Spencer says the demand has been so high it is unlikely every interested party will be offered the opportunity of a viewing, with those who have already made offers set for talks in the coming days to see if deals can be brought to a conclusion.
He continued: “It just demonstrates the continued appeal of York’s historic buildings and features, and of course, it is a unique opportunity to arise for people to house their business or operations in such significant buildings within the famed York walls.
“Given the demand we have seen, I can’t imagine it will take too long to come to deals on each of the spaces. We’re sure they’ll be great additions to the York offering and provide a great home to those who secure the leases.
“We’ve the support of the City of York Council and will together ensure the businesses chosen to fill these unique spaces are in keeping with the historical significance and character of the buildings themselves.”
