JORVIK Viking Centre's gift shop reopens

The gift shop at JORVIK Viking Centre has re-opened today following the restoration of power to the attraction yesterday (4 January 2015).

It will be some time before the underground attraction in York’s Coppergate re-opens, with assessments of the flood damage still being undertaken, but the centre’s operator, York Archaeological Trust (YAT), was keen to demonstrate that York remains open for business.

“JORVIK Viking Centre is one of five visitor attractions that we operate in York, and with the flooding in the city and of JORVIK itself making international news, it is crucial that people understand that the city is back open for business.  Out of York’s many world-class attractions, only a very small number remain closed as they repair damage.  It will take us some time to reopen the attraction itself, but by opening the street-level gift shop, there will still be a taste of Viking York for visitors to Coppergate,” comments York Archaeological Trust’s director of attractions, Sarah Maltby. 

York Archaeological Trust relies upon the income from its five attractions and shops to support its research and archaeological digs in the city and beyond.  “We have already been very pleased with the public response to our flood fundraising initiative, and are keen to encourage people to visit our other sites and our Viking-themed shop whilst JORVIK itself is closed,” adds Sarah.

Indeed, the other four attractions within the JORVIK Group – Barley Hall, DIG, The Richard III Experience at Monk Bar and The Henry VII Experience at Micklegate Bar - continue to operate as normal.  Alternative workshops and activities, including Viking visits, are being organised for education groups who had booked visits to JORVIK in January.

Information on the work to restore the attraction, including details of how to donate to the charity, can be found at http://jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/flood

ENDS

For further media information or photographs, please contact:

Jay Commins

Pyper York Limited

Tel:         01904 500698

Email:    jay@pyperyork.co.uk