Markets leave Parliament Street

The York Council is seeking to ban market traders from Parliament Street.

Parliament Street was the traditional home of the York market for many years before  it was moved into Newgate. It was refurbished and relaunched as the Shambles market last year.

York Food and Drink Festival

 

Speciality farmers and continental markets continued to be held on Parliament Street and were generally a welcome addition to the street scene.

Now they are to be shunted into a limited space within the Shambles market.

A report to a council committee taking place on Tuesday says 

“The proposals include the refurbished marketplace being the focal point for markets and the sole city centre location where markets will be held – with the exception of St Nicholas Fair – and will accommodate all themed markets.

They also address the need to provide a diverse range of goods while welcoming casual traders, service standards and positively promoting the market.

To support traders in their planning and marketing, the report proposes that from 1 September 2015, traders will have the choice of taking either a four-week or a six-month licence which will be granted for specified days and commodities”.

We have previously recorded that we think the Council missed an opportunity when it invested over £1.6 million in the market refurbishment. There was a chance to reinvigorate Parliament Street while moving -and enlarging – the cycle park  which could have occupied part of the Newgate site.

Other areas – such as Duncombe Place and Acomb Front Street – could have been the new home for special events and markets.

Now that opportunity seems to have been lost for ever.

 

Controversial Newgate market plan stumbles forward

From 17 March to 7 April, City of York Council will be embarking on its final phase of consultation on the controversial £1.6 million Newgate Market’s refurbishment, and will be “showing how research and consultation with shoppers, traders and local businesses is shaping the new layout”.
york_newgate_market3

The Council claims, “Using feedback, we have identified the most popular ideas which include creating a new wider ‘street’ from one end to the other to enhance pedestrian flow and open up views into Newgate”.

“We’re also working with businesses in the Shambles on how they could maximise trading opportunities by developing dual shop fronts – one onto the street, another onto the market. Other ideas include looking at creating a weatherproof roof that lets in light, more and different designs for stalls, better signage and a new recreational public space behind the Marks and Spencer store.

Potential to create a lively food court complemented by new kiosks and Shambles businesses opening into the market is being considered for the south eastern edge of the market. Artwork on the walls and lighting installations, café seating, pop-up trading or evening events could be accommodated in this flexible space

The Jubbergate entrance and how it can draw Parliament Street shoppers into Newgate is being considered with ideas including an overhead canopy of lights which double as colourful ‘bunting’ during the day.

This final stage of public consultation will show the latest proposals, developed from workshops and general consultations in the foyer of the council’s West Offices from Monday 17to Monday 24March, in the window of 5 Silver Street, and also online from Monday 17March to Monday 7April at www.york.gov.uk/newgatemarket

Thoughts on what is liked best and what is liked least about the latest proposals will be gathered by questionnaires at the exhibitions and online.

Meanwhile questions are being asked about where the Continental market and Food Festival events will be located while Parliament Street is in temporary use for the regular market stalls.

York market may close earlier in winter

York MarketAccess times for market vehicles entering the area at the end of the day have been relaxed for the winter to take account of outdoor trading conditions.

Working with the agreement of the City Centre Manager, traders are now able to load up an hour early on Sundays through to Fridays, whilst the access time for Saturday business remains at its usual time.

The arrangement will start from Sunday 3 November until Spring Half Term, Sunday 23 February.

Like most City centre traders, market stall holders have been badly hit by the Labour Councils 36% increase in car parking charges while new traffic restrictions in the City centre have been the final straw for some.

Newgate Market is situated in the heart of York, just off The Shambles. For further information about the market and York’s specialist markets visit www.york.gov.uk/markets.

For information on planning your journey into the city centre visit www.itravelyork.info.