Review of historic market to ensure its future

York Council has long acknowledged that major investment is needed to ensure the city’s historic Newgate Market continues to operate, and a public consultation was launched yesterday. The council will be holding preliminary discussions with traders, including businesses near the market, along with the city’s residents and visitors.

A bid could then be made to the council’s Economic Infrastructure Fund, which aims to kick-start critical infrastructure projects, to improve the appearance of the market while also attempting to attract more shoppers.

The council’s cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, Coun Sonja Crisp, said: “York’s market has operated for many hundreds of years and is part of the city centre’s commercial success. Taking part in the consultation will help secure its future and I urge people to come along and give their views.”

The market, which is located in the city centre between The Shambles and Parliament Street and has about 100 stalls most days, has been at the heart of York’s trade throughout the centuries. But concerns have been voiced the site could fall victim to the economic downturn. In 2009, York Council approved a review of the market after income from stallholders decreased significantly. A revamp of the market has already been undertaken earlier this year after a programme of work began in April.

The consultations began yesterday and will continue until Wednesday next week. A mobile exhibition unit will be at the market each day until Sunday from 9am until 4.30pm.

Comments can also be made online at www.york.gov.uk, by emailing [email protected] or by writing to the senior markets officer Darren Lovatt at York Council, 5, Silver Street, York YO1 8RY.

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