I remembered seeing the book years ago, have the library copy at present. There is a phone number for enquiries in the book, may follow up on that and see if I can buy a copy. Thanks for your kind offer to lend it to me.

I’m particularly interested in the period recalled in the comments on the York Stories ‘Lost Layerthorpe’ page, mid 20th century, the demolitions of whole streets, and the developments since.

My main interest comes from my great grandparents George and Mary Casper who lived at 10 Portland Place: their yard was next to Chickory Yard to the east. It was built in 1849 and was on the bottom right of the small street/yard, barely 20 yards from the Foss. Their living conditions must have been atrocious as they were surrounded by; the river, which would completely flood their street, right up to the main road; the Chickory works, who’s fumes would cling to them and their clothes, on a damp, foggy day; the coal yards, close by near the bridge, which would have generated noxious fumes when coal was being unloaded from the coal barges, then loaded onto carts. There was also the noise from the railway and the proximity of the gasometers to contend with.

A person who may be of interest to others with memories of, or ancestors from Layerthorpe is the Reverend Andrew Robert Fausset, who was the Rector of St. Cuthbert’s Church. Between 1907 and 1909, he visted many families in his parish, regardless of denomination, and made notes in a small notebook. These are available to view at the Borthwick Institute (catalogued under, St. Cuthbert’s Parish visiting books) and there are some examples in the Layerthorpe book. Here’s a couple of examples from 1908/1909:

‘Downhill Street. No. 33.
Mr. & Mrs. Stranger with five children. They have no Sunday clothes to go to Sunday School. Husband out of work. My wife gave them tea and sugar. Some of the children have chicken pox.’

‘Layerthorpe. No. 15.
Mrs. Walkington, widow, has the grocers shop. Has lived in Layerthorpe all her life. Her husband died forty years ago and left her with seven children to bring up. Lives in the house over the archway.’

Note to Lisa. If you haven’t got a copy of this book, or can’t get hold of one, then let me know and I can send you mine on a long term loan.

The photo is from the City of York Council archives, you can access the collection of images via the link posted under each image from the collection, but this link should be more helpful: https://www.exploreyork.org.uk/client/en_GB/yorkimages/search/results?qu=co-operative+layerthorpe&te=ASSET
and this is the link to the image from that:
https://www.exploreyork.org.uk/client/en_GB/search/asset/1016398

The images on here are at the size recorded there in that collection, I don’t have access to higher resolution versions but you may be able to buy a larger version of it by emailing archives@exploreyork.org.uk