York Historic Environment Record

Between September 2022 and December 2022, and September 2023 and December 2023, York Archaeology conducted an archaeological excavation at the site of the former Mecca Bingo building at the junction of Blue Bridge Lane and Fishergate. The work was undertaken for Olympian Homes and included the excavation of features located above the site formation level in two archaeological areas. Features below the formation level were recorded in plan and left in situ. The archaeological works revealed archaeological features and deposits dating from the Roman to the modern periods. Evidence of Roman activity consisted of two phases of field systems, along with a large amount of residual pottery in later features and deposits. Anglian activity consisted largely of refuse pits, while Anglo-Scandinavian activity comprised a small number of pits and a ditch. Activity intensified post-Conquest, with the 11th and 12th century represented by two post-built structures, a possible hearth area, waste pits and small sections of truncated ditches. Activity possibly associated with the St Andrews priory complex consisted of terracing to the north of the site ahead of the construction of a cobbled trackway, a stone wall and the presumed location of a wall that was later robbed out. An increase of activity in this period was evidenced by refuse pits across the site, with a concentration towards the north. Horticultural soil was deposited across the site in order to level it in the late medieval period, signalling a change in land use. Later medieval to post-medieval pits were observed to cut through this soil, and a robber trench was observed, presumably in the location of a wall associated with the priory. Activity in the modern period was represented by the remains of the 19th century Freshfield Cottage at the south of the site, with associated features including a culvert and ice house. The remains of the 1930s Rialto Cinema was observed to the north of the site, and a number of concrete piles and ground beams associated with the later Mecca Bingo building truncated earlier deposits.