Street traders retain spots during the York Christmas Market. The decision provides stability amid policy changes.
Margaret Rush owns Graham’s Ices. She told officials moving vendors hurts business, especially during peak seasons.
Councilor Rachael Melly leads the Licensing Committee. She said limiting layout changes might cause problems and accessibility could suffer, threatening the market itself.
York is creating a new Street Trading Policy because current licenses expire in March. The city needs a transparent consent process as they currently operate using informal guidance.
An earlier policy draft worried traders because Make It York couldn’t guarantee them their usual spots during events. The amended draft offered alternative market spots at no extra cost, but specific spots cost extra.
Lisa Grimbley leads Make It York’s events. She said changes would improve accessibility, addressing concerns regarding crowds and disabled access.
The Licensing Committee met on February 6 and heard no accessibility complaints about street traders during the market.
Rush said the policy needed more work to make it fair for traders, as her ice cream business operates in York since 1974.
Rush described overcrowding at Christmas markets, and said changes to vendor spots could be devastating because street traders contribute year-round to York’s economy, unlike Christmas Market traders. “The status quo gives us certainty,” she stated.
Councilor Melly wanted to delay the decision to see this year’s Christmas Market layout, believing the layout change matters.
She said uncertainty could create implications and reduced market accessibility raises equality concerns. Melly thinks the market’s viability is at stake too.
Traders’ licenses renew for another year from April. They stay on existing terms because of Thursday’s decision and are only required to move in rare instances.
Work continues on the new street trading policy. The aim is to create a better system.