The makeover of a piazza at the University of York, supported by outgoing Chancellor Greg Dyke, will be unveiled later this month.

The new outdoor community space will be named Greg’s Place after the journalist, broadcaster and current Chairman of The Football Association who has been Chancellor of the University since 2004.

Work began on transforming Vanburgh Piazza – previously regarded as an eyesore and ironically referred to as ‘Vanbrugh Paradise’ - earlier this year.

The space aims to give the University a focal point for open and graduation days, as well as providing an area to host and view art installations, open air cinema, pop-up activities and performances for students and visitors alike.

Greg’s Place will be officially launched on October 27, the day the University’s new Chancellor Professor Sir Malcolm Grant is inaugurated.

Professor Koen Lamberts, Vice-Chancellor at the University of York, said: “Greg’s Place on Vanbrugh Piazza has the potential to become a truly iconic space on our campus. It is an important backdrop to our graduation days, open days, and visit days, and I hope it also become a space enjoyed and used by our community every day.

“I am enormously grateful to Greg Dyke, and our other benefactors, for being so supportive of this initiative that will have a truly transformational effect on our student, staff and visitor experience.”

The inauguration day will showcase the University’s research and teaching through talks by academics and performances by University clubs and societies from 6.30pm on October 27 at Greg’s Place. All students and members of the public are invited to attend, with free tickets available at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fireworks-event-tickets-18760131057.