'York is a party city - but attitudes to drinking are changing'

York has long been a city associated with partying - from race days to stag and hen dos and student nightlife.

But a new campaign has now been launched to encourage drinkers to consider low-alcohol and alcohol-free options.

Thirty-two bars and pubs feature on the NoLo Map of York, which easily signposts revellers to the venues where they can find alternative drinks.

Two researchers from the University of York, Prof Victoria Wells and Dr Nadine Waehning, have created the initiative and said they wanted to make safer drinking more "visible".

Dr Waehning added: "Customers may feel uncomfortable asking what else is available, so we want people to easily see the alternative NoLo options that may otherwise be tricky to spot in busy bars and restaurants."

Prof Wells said that people abstained from alcohol for medical and religious reasons, but still wanted to socialise in bars with friends.

"So that's why we want to promote this inclusive idea so that there are different options if people don't want to cut it out completely but would rather just have a drink with a lower alcohol level - there's alternative options," she said.

As well as listing venues, the map also offers ideas for sober walks and cycle rides around the city.

The project was launched at the CAMRA beer festival in York in September and is supported by City of York Council.

Paul Crossman, landlord of The Slip Inn, on Postern Close, and The Swan, on Bishopgate Street, said his businesses had not suffered from people opting for no- or low- alcohol drinks.

"The quality of low and no beer has improved enormously in the last few years, and many of the independent brewers we like to support are now making it which is great news," he said.

Paul Marshall, licensee of The Rook & Gaskill on Lawrence Street, added that he had seen a significant recent uptake in the sales of no- and low-alcohol drinks, especially drinks with less than 3% alcohol.

"People are more savvy with volumes of alcohol and are especially looking for weaker or lower alcoholic drinks during the week," he said.

In March, Rachel Melly, chair of City of York Council's licensing and regulatory committee, told a meeting that "alcohol-related harm was a concern" in the city.

A total of 573 incidents of anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol were recorded within the city walls in the first seven months of this year, according to City of York Council in August.

The Micklegate area was traditionally been associated with high-volume drinking establishments and pub crawls, but in recent years the street has become home to independent businesses that discourage a culture of partying. New restaurants and an art gallery are opening, while many of the pubs have been refurbished.

The 18th Century Falcon Inn, one of the street's historic hostelries, is now a craft ale pub following a spell as popular student bar Rumours.

Ryan Moulder, director of bar and coffee shop Fossgate Social, agreed that attitudes towards drinking are changing in the city.

"Venues like ours have had to become more worthwhile with events, unique atmosphere and a high quality offering to attract customers, so I'd say the quality in general on Micklegate in terms of drinking establishments has increased, and there are certainly less issues with drunk and disorderly behaviour," he said.

Last year, York was also re-awarded Purple Flag status, which recognises efforts to promote safe and diverse nightlife.

Carl Alsop, operations manager at the York BID, said the University of York's campaign was a "really positive addition to what's already happening in the city".

"The project supports the idea that socialising doesn't look the same for everyone," he said.

"Ultimately, the aim is for York to be a place where everyone feels welcome, can have a great time in both the day and evening economy, and gets home safely at the end of the night."

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