Property investment specialist Helmsley Group has agreed a letting on York’s Merchantgate for the opening of illusions emporium, The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring.
The site which previously housed My Sight York is now home to an immersive world of optical illusions. The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring spans 2411 sq ft of the Merchantgate building, featuring over 20 jaw-dropping illusions and interactive exhibits to delight visitors of all ages.
Alexia Swift-Cookson, head of asset management at Helmsley Group, said: “The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring is a brilliant addition to Merchantgate. Its central location makes it an ideal attraction for local and visiting groups to enjoy and is in keeping with the quirky air of magic synonymous with York.”
Inspired by the mythical 19th-century York inventor, Professor Kettlestring, this family-run business is the brainchild of Matthew and Marianne Tritton-Hughes.
Matthew added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to bring this unique attraction to York. We can’t wait to see visitors’ imaginations run wild and their perceptions turned upside down! Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, this is your chance to step into the bizarre and wonderful world of Professor Kettlestring – where seeing is definitely not believing.”
This new opening continues Helmsley Group’s success in the city following planning approval for the business’s regeneration masterplan on nearby Coney Street. The Coney Street Riverside vision will see Helmsley Group revitalise the street’s retail and residential offering as well as reconnecting the high street and the river to create a new go-to destination in the city. Plans for the regeneration are expected to begin in the summer of 2025.