York Christmas market rest day plan approved

Plans to close York's Christmas market for one day a week have been approved by the city's council.

The authority backed trialling Tuesday closures to improve accessibility to the city centre during the event, despite warnings of £7.8m in lost income.

Disabled campaigners told councillors the move would send a powerful message that they were an equal part of the local community.

Pete Kilbane, the council's deputy leader, said: "No city has cracked making events such as the Christmas Market fully accessible, but we will turn over every stone to make sure all residents and visitors can access the city centre while it's on at a bare minimum."

Kilbane refused to rule out a return to a seven-day market in future as officials continue to work on long-term solutions to access issues, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Last year Blue Badge holders were among those restricted from parking in the city centre while the market was, on at the request of North Yorkshire Police.

The force has an Anti-Terror Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO), which it can use all year round in consultation with the council and other emergency services.

The police said the restrictions were needed to deter terror attacks after the national terror threat level was raised to severe, meaning an attack is considered highly likely.

Traders had argued having a rest day could put visitors off, pile pressure on the event when it is open and cause further harm to the already struggling hospitality industry.

Stall owner Nick Miller said: "We had 241 applications for jobs on our stall last year, it's worrying that that many people need a job in York.

"The market's already busy at peak times, this could put more pressure on the market as a whole."

Organisations including York's High Street Forum, Business Improvement District (BID) and Made In Yorkshire also objected to the plans, warning of their impact on the local economy.

City of York Council's development lead Garry Taylor said the measures would allow the city centre to run as normal one day per week and allow access to disabled people.

But he warned the estimated loss of spending in the city centre could be between £2.6m and £7.8m.

The approved plans are set to see the market open from 10.30 to 19:00 every day except Tuesday.

Amanda Cooper from the York Disability Rights Forum told councillors disabled people found it very difficult to be in the city centre when the market is on.

She said: "Restricting access to essential services, including banks, could cause some to go into financial difficulties or debt.

"Those who oppose this may themselves become disabled one day, they should reflect on that."

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