Agenda item

This report seeks to brief the Board on research on the evening economy and the experience of York city centre in the evening, undertaken in association with the First Stop York Product Development Group.  Views are sought on the draft vision and action plan prior to formal consideration by the City of York Council.

Members considered a report which sought to brief the Board on research on the evening economy and the experience of York city centre in the evening, undertaken in association with the First Stop York Product Development Group.  Views were sought on the draft vision and action plan prior to formal consideration by the City of York Council.

The research described in the report provides a potential way forward for developing a vision for the York evening economy. It suggests that the correct “steer” for the York evening economy was towards a more inclusive evening experience with a more exciting and diverse range of evening activities, a higher amenity value and a higher perception of safety in the city centre. The research also highlighted the need for co-ordination of activity in the evening economy to allow for greater communication and cooperation between the stakeholders involved including retail, hospitality, entertainment, accommodation and the local authority. 

Key findings of the research, together with a draft vision and action plan to stimulate the evening economy in York were set out in the report.  These had yet to be considered by the City of York Council and the views of the Board were welcomed at this stage as part of the discussion on how best to move forward with the development of the evening economy in York city centre.

The following points were made:

• York’s evening economy needed to be enhanced to attract overnight visitors
• York needed to develop an inclusive evening economy
• York’s evening economy provides benefit both for tourists and residents. There was a need to develop a clearer vision of future direction
• There was a night time economy forum that was set up due to the changes in the Licensing Laws; this had expanded into a more general forum and could be developed further to incorporate any new plans for the evening economy
• The need to revisit pedestrianisation and determine whether its hours should be extended
• At the present time it was difficult to buy a cup of coffee between 5pm and 7pm in the City Centre. The slack period between these two times needs to be addressed.
• Vans are allowed back into the City Centre after 4pm which is unwelcoming to pedestrians
• The need to ‘tease out the details’ and work in a joined up way with planning and licensing
• There is an impression that York is ‘stuck in a rut’ in terms of its evening economy and is not making the most of opportunities
• The need to create a more ‘continental’ atmosphere within the City
• The need for the evening economy to be more family orientated addressing concerns that the growth of activities requiring alcohol and related licences has perhaps been at the expense of other evening activities
• Museums and other attractions needed to be encouraged to put on more night time events and to include events for families during the evening
• Hotels could provide more information about evening and night time events in York – for example through the possibility of a daily newsletter of events that could be obtained from the Visitor Information Centre or through hotels or by texting a specified number
• The potential of Newgate Market as an entertainment space after trading hours had finished
• The encouragement of retail establishments to stay open later into the evening
• Extension of the hours of the Park and Ride facilities

RESOLVED:            

(i)         That the key findings of the research, and the  draft proposed action plan for the evening   economy in York be noted;

                                    (ii)        That a clear vision for the City’s evening economy be defined               

(iii)       That the Board support in principle the development with stakeholders of a vibrant, diverse and inclusive evening economy in York;

(iv)              That a further report be presented on a costed action plan to support the development of the evening economy in York city centre.

REASON:                  To help shape the effectiveness of future action.