Plans for Christmas market 'rest day' put on hold

Plans for a rest day at York Christmas Market have been put on hold, following concerns from market traders.

If approved, the proposal would see the market closed on Tuesdays to reduce pressure on accessibility to the city centre.

However, market traders and local businesses feared a rest day could see them lose up to 10% of their revenue.

City of York Council's executive voted to postpone the decision and deputy leader Pete Kilbane said it would be reconsidered at a special meeting soon, to help businesses plan.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, plans for the rest day were drawn up to ease the impact of the event on Blue Badge holders.

They 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 are now available to use year round and are expected to be activated only during future markets and other events on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the council and other emergency services.

People with disabilities said last year the measures would restrict their access to the city centre in the run-up to Christmas.

A council report stated closing the market for one day a week would improve accessibility in the city centre and Tuesday was the day with the least footfall.

A rest day would be trialled during this year's market and the impact would be analysed early next year, it said.

However, York's Business Improvement District (BID), Hospitality Association (HAY), and hotels lodged concerns ahead of the meeting on Tuesday.

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% drop in sales from losing Tuesdays would heighten the pressure massively."

Louise Harris-Collins, who also trades at the market, said she might 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 rights activist Flick Williams said she never thought the rest day would happen, after suggesting it was better than nothing.

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."

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