Agenda item

This report provides the Committee with a performance update on Make it York Limited (“MiY”) and update for members that proposals are being developed to extend the term of the current service contract between the Council and MiY for up to a further three years.

Also provides an update on a new Service Level Agreement (SLA) template using the ‘Our City Centre Vision’ themes, that was approved by Executive in October 2023.

The Committee were joined by Sarah Loftus Managing Director of Make it York (MIY) and Tony Spinks Accountant (MIY).

Sarah Loftus outlined a positive report of MIY’s current work. She confirmed that visitor numbers were high, that MIY was having a strong outreach on social media, and that member retention was also high. She also outlined improvements with the Christmas market and MIYs relationship with the Shambles market traders who had won a Travellers Choice Award for 2023.

The Committee discussed the work of MIY in and around York and enquired about whether MIY promote organisations and events outside of the city centre. Sarah Loftus confirmed that about 20% of MIY’s membership were based outside of the city centre and are promoted by the organisation, she also confirmed that new member organisations were welcome.

Visitor numbers for 2023 were discussed as well as around promoting York as a city for visitors and residents. Visitor numbers were noted as having been promising in 2023 but that financial challenges and particularly bad weather in the summer had affected events in the city. It was noted that these were factors that likely contributed to the drop in York Pass’ purchased compared to the high point of 2022, where the end to Covid-19 restrictions had seen a rise in visitors to the city.

Members discussed accommodation in York including the challenges associated with the rise in Airbnb style accommodation. Sarah Loftus noted that MIY supported regulation in the sector to ensure the right sort of quality accommodation in the city. Members also enquired as to whether MIY had close conversations with hotel chains about creating more accessible rooms in the city. Sarah Loftus noted that this was something MIY would support but that it was likely a question directly for those chains and noted that MIY and the Council could explore whether any form of funding would be available for smaller accommodation providers.  

The Committee noted the improvements to the Christmas market in 2023. It was noted that there had been over 200 applications for stalls at the market and Members enquired how these were determined. Sarah Loftus confirmed that MIY had a criteria it could share with the Committee, which included criteria such as being a Yorkshire business selling Yorkshire made products. Members discussed the rise in the number of York stores which also had a stall at the market. It was confirmed that stores saw it as an opportunity to get a bigger footprint in the city at Christmas, Sarah Loftus noted that it was about maintaining a balance on the market.

Members enquired as to whether MIY were confident it would reach its target level of profit in its 3 year budget plan. The Committee were informed that MIY were confident of this, asked if there were any other challenges than those noted earlier such as bad weather, Sarah Loftus noted that the cost of road closure licenses had risen, interruptions in the train network and an increased amount of health and safety policy to abide by were challenges to the events industry. Finally, Members also welcomed the improved relationship between MIY and the Shambles market traders. Members enquired as to why two shared prosperity funds bids had not been successful, in relation to the market, officers confirmed that they would need to review this and would update the Committee regarding the bids.

Resolved:

                         i.         The Committee asked that the Executive Member for Economy & Transport to work with MIY to promote that York remained ‘open for business’ on flood days;

                        ii.         The Committee asked that the Executive Member for Economy & Transport to work with MIY and hotel chains in the city encourage business’ to increase the number of accessible accommodation;

                      iii.         To request that officers explore what barriers hotels and hospitality have in York at providing accessible accommodation and report back to the committee.

Reason:     To promote York as a city.