Stanley Harrison House at Malton Station has been acquired by Ryedale District Council, to provide an important new facility at the heart of the town.

The move also marks a milestone for North Yorkshire property and development company S Harrison, for whom the former railway buildings were home before their move to York in 2007.

Whilst future plans for the 7000 sq foot offices have not yet been finalised, the Council is exploring a number of possibilities for use of the building.

The deal was signed in March, but this week Harrison MD Ann Scott officially handed over the keys to Ryedale District Council’s corporate director, Paul Cresswell.

Ann Scott said: “Our company has strong ties with Malton. The work we did in renovating the station buildings which were semi-derelict when we acquired them, and providing affordable housing, the job centre and a supermarket on the site, was a considerable challenge at the time. The station and the former goods yards around it were an absolute eyesore and our regeneration brought the area back into use, so this is a scheme of which we are extremely proud.

“When we sold our construction company in 2007, to focus on our development business, we made the move to York but kept ownership of the buildings here. It is immensely satisfying to know that what was such a happy home for our business is now going to provide good amenities for the people of Malton and Norton.”

For Ryedale District Council Corporate Director Paul Cresswell said: “Ryedale District Council  is delighted to finalise the acquisition of this significant building. It provides an opportunity for the Council to consider the location of key services in the towns and we are in ongoing discussions with a number of parties”

 

S Harrison, which is celebrating its 60^th anniversary this year, was founded by Stanley Harrison in 1952. In its early days the company was based in Wintringham and Rillington but it moved headquarters to Malton Station in 1998 following a £6 million regeneration scheme. This included work on the station complex, building 29 new homes for rent in partnership with Ryedale Housing Association and a further 26 homes for sale as well as providing a new supermarket, now operated by Asda, the job centre and the YMCA foyer.

 

The first phase of the scheme was officially opened by Sir Marcus Worsley in 1995.