03/11/2009

The redevelopment of York Archaeological Trust's world-famous JORVIK Viking Centre is now surging ahead as construction workers start on the £1 million revamp this week.

The centre, which is to undergo a four-month overhaul programme, will remain open during the majority of the work, closing for just four weeks in January to allow for major structural changes to be made.

The redevelopment will include an underfoot reconstruction of the original Coppergate excavation; new, state of the art animatronics and the reconstruction of a new Viking-age house and backyard.  Instead of the time machine, which has taken visitors back to 975AD for the past nine years, there will be an open gallery with glass windows that look out at the time cars and the under-floor excavations containing the remains of Viking houses and actual Viking timbers.

The new-look Viking Centre will reopen in February in time for the 25th JORVIK Viking Festival, which takes place from 13 - 21 February 2010.

The revamp comes in JORVIK's 25th anniversary year, which has already seen a host of celebrations happening across the city.   The celebrations will culminate in the New Year with the official launch of the new JORVIK Viking Centre.

Says Sarah Maltby, Director of Attractions at York Archaeological Trust, "These are incredibly exciting times for the Trust and for visitors.  We're taking the concept of JORVIK and bringing it even further into the 21st Century with state of the art animatronics and new discoveries that will appeal to a wide audience. 

"The work has been planned so that there will be minimal disruption for visitors throughout the process.  In fact, it will close for just four weeks in January 2010 so that the core building phase can be carried out. 

"Visitors will be given a 25% discount on admission prices through November and December and anyone visiting during this time will be able to come back for free any time the following year to see the new look JORVIK." 

Work is being carried out by Buckinghamshire-based RMA Ltd.  The firm has a strong track record in the attractions market with Cadbury World, Thomas Land and Thorpe Park on its client list.  RMA will use local builders, mechanical contractors and electrical contractors for all work on site.

To find out more about the JORVIK Viking Centre and its 25-year celebration events programme, visit http://www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/ or call 01904 543400.

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