Executive meeting on Tuesday, 12 May 2026

Written representation in relation to agenda item 6, York Christmas Market Operating Hours and Economic Impact

Dear Executive Members,

I have traded at the Christmas market for the last 5 years and it has always been successful. As a small business the Christmas market makes up a large majority of my takings for the year with the focus for the year being Christmas time and the York Christmas market. I appreciate that access is needed for blue badge holders but I feel closing the market for a day a week isn’t in the best interests of either the market traders or the other local businesses in York.

A lost day’s trade, which in effect 5 or 6 days across the whole market, is crippling for a small business like myself and with that kind of loss I may have to look at trading elsewhere in 2027 which would be a real shame as I love being part of the York market for both the success it brings my business and the atmosphere it creates.

From my point of view, and from many of the other traders and local businesses I have spoken with, it doesn’t seem to be in the best interests of local business or trade to shut the Christmas market for a day a week and would definitely be detrimental to my business. I think there are other avenues to explore to accommodate the needs of the blue badge holders that would serve both the blue badge holders and local businesses.

Yours sincerely,

Lee Clayton

Nutty’s Emporium