York Christmas Market- rest day plan on hold amid concerns

York Council’s Executive voted to defer a decision on closing the market on Tuesdays following new counter-terrorism advice from North Yorkshire Police.

Cllr Pete Kilbane, the council’s Labour deputy leader, said the proposals would be reconsidered before the executive’s next scheduled meeting in a month’s time to help businesses plan accordingly.

Market traders and businesses near its pitches in Parliament street told councillors they feared the effect closing the market for a day would have on their earnings and staff.

The decision at the meeting on Tuesday, April 13 comes after plans for the rest day were drawn up to ease the impact of the event on Blue Badge holders.

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Blue Badge holders were among those banned from driving into York city centre during the market’s opening hours in line with traffic restrictions imposed during the event.

The council approved North Yorkshire Police’s request for an Anti-Terror Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) barring vehicles from pedestrianised streets to deter potential attacks which have targeted mass gatherings elsewhere.

The restrictions have since been made permanent and would be activated during future markets and other events on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the council and other emergency services.

Disabled people said last year the measures would restrict their access to the city centre in the run up to Christmas.

Plans for a rest day on Tuesday are among the measures the council has proposed to ease the impact of restrictions during future markets.

A council report stated opening the market one day less a week would improve accessibility in the city centre.

It added Tuesday was chosen as the rest day because it was one of the quietest in terms of footfall but was not as closely linked to weekend visits as Mondays or Thursdays.

A rest day would be trialled during this year’s market and the impact would be analysed early next year.

Christmas Market traders have voiced fears about plans to close future events one day a week (Image: Newsquest)

York’s Business Improvement District (BID), Hospitality Association (HAY), hotels and others lodged concerns with the council over the proposals ahead of Tuesday’s decision.

Traders speaking at Tuesday’s meeting said closing the market could see them lose up to 10 per cent of their revenues.

Simon Long, of Shambles Kitchen, said earnings from the market paid the wages of his 30 permanent staff in January.

The trader said: “I can’t afford to lose any days because of the January payroll.

“What would happen to the price of rent for pitches and would we be expected to make up the losses?

“We’re already facing significant price pressures at the moment, a 10 per cent drop in sales from losing Tuesdays would heighten the pressure massively.”

Louise Harris-Collins, who also trades at the market, said she could have to employ up to 11 fewer people if the plans go ahead.

She said: “Our margins have become thinner, the prospect of losing a day is truly terrifying.

“The market’s a huge asset to the city, people love it and we need more people to get behind it, not strangle it.”

Speaking following the meeting, disability right activist Flick Williams said she never thought the rest day would happen after saying it was better than nothing.

The executive heard the new police advice was a different interpretation of that previously given and related to additional liabilities and risks.

Council Deputy Leader Cllr Kilbane said traders’ views would be taken into account ahead of the decision on the rest day.

The deputy leader said: “The time scales are against us, businesses need to know what’s happening.”